A short romantic film titled "Love During the Days of SARS" directed by Joan Chen and starring Jiang Yiyan has begun shooting. The film is set in China during 2003 amid the outbreak of SARS, which claimed more than 600 lives worldwide. It is Chen's first film since she directed "Fall in New York in 2000". "It is so exciting to be back in the director's chair for this short film," said the 50-year-old Shanghai-born director, whose claim to fame came as an actress when she starred in 1987 Academy Award-winning film "The Last Emperor". "I truly believe in love, whether it's real or imagined. It's eternal and has the power to salvage human hearts," she said.

"Love During the Days of SARS" is part of fashion magazine Elle China's "5.20 Series of Short Films," which marks the publication's restructure as a twice-monthly magazine. Four directors are participating in the project, including Chen and renowned fashion photographer, Stephane Sednaouito. All four films must run be between 15 to 20 minutes and embrace the theme that "romantic miracles happen in everyday life."

The short films, which will be lengthened into feature-length movies in May next year, focus on the stories of four Chinese women in four cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Paris and Las Vegas. "The women believe in love and hope to discover the perfect love. Each film will showcase the unique qualities, styles and charms of the Chinese female characters," said Yang Wen, general manager of Elle China's publisher, Hachette Filipacchi Media.

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