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Zhang Yimou's blockbuster 'Flowers of War'

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Zhang Yimou's new big budget war epic "The Flowers of War" is embroiled in some controversy. The movie's producer, Zhang Weiping, announced he would raise the lowest ticket price by 5 yuan, boosting the film's profits from 43 percent to 45 percent at cinemas.

The announcement caused a storm of protests, and this Monday, Zhang Weiping made his first media appearance since the dispute.

Late in November, after Zhang Weiping's announcement, cinemas made a joint protest. The conflict even came to the government's attention and an official suggestion was released. The suggestion encourages flexible negotiation between producer and cinemas. And the highest proportion cinemas can get is set as 50 percent. Zhang was satisfied with the outcome.

Zhang Weiping said, "For all the producers in China, the only way to get a return on investment is through ticket sales. Associated products do not sell well. Raising the rate could help keep movies from being fast food and junk food."

Zhang Weiping seems very proud of the "Flowers of War," which cost him nearly 100 million U.S. dollars. Apart from the film's hero, Christian Bale, the heroine is still being kept a secret. At the meeting, Zhang brought a two-minute clip of war scenes, without showing the heroine's face. He called it hunger marketing.

The movie has also been chosen to compete for an Oscar in the best foreign language film category. Zhang sold the distribution rights in north America to Wrekin Hill Entertainment and Row 1 Productions. This is the first time that a China-made movie will be shown at commercial cinemas during the Christmas season in the U.S. with its opening scheduled for December 23rd.

December is always packed with films that battle fiercely at box offices both at home and abroad. However, Zhang is looking forward to a box office result of over 1.5 billion dollars. The film opens for general release in China on December 16th.