Pop star to release action film about wine
Leon Lai promotes his directorial debut Wine War in Beijing on March 19. [Photo provided to China Daily] |
Canton-pop megastar Leon Lai unveiled the backdrop of his directorial debut, Wine War, on Sunday in Beijing.
The 50-year-old singer-actor from Beijing, who's hailed as one of the four "heavenly kings" in Hong Kong, has starred in a number of hit TV series and movies, such as the 2003 Berlin International Film Festival-nominated film, Three.
Lai will show his new talents behind the camera in the forthcoming thriller.
The movie, which will open across the Chinese mainland on May 19, portrays a shoot'em-up quest to possess a precious bottle of red wine produced in 1855.
Lai plays the lead.
The cast also includes supermodel-turned-actress Du Juan, Taiwan actor David Wang and model-actor Nan Fulong from Tianjin.
Wine War cast (from left) includes Nan Fulong, Du Juan, Leon Lai and David Wang. [Photo provided to China Daily] |
Lai says China's historical connection with wine culture inspired the plot.
"I've read some papers that say China made red wine as long ago as during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). I then learned some top Chinese winemakers immigrated to Europe centuries ago," Lai says.
A Wine War trailer released at the Sunday event is packed with explosions, chases and stunts.
Lai, who earned Western recognition with the 1997 romantic classic Comrades, Almost a Love Story, says he prefers brotherhood themes to romance.
Related:
- 'Beauty and the Beast' blasts through box office records with $350m debut
- Oscar winner in Beijing promoting a classic monster franchise
- 'Beauty and the Beast' opens simultaneously in China and US
- Beijing forum promotes TV cooperation between China and France
- Pingyao is to host film festival in October