"Iron Road" poster

In a bid to reduce the profit-draining effects of piracy, publishers of the 2007 Chinese-Canadian film "Iron Road", have earmarked a public cinema release date in June.

Set in the late 19th century, the film tells the story of Chinese street urchin "Little Tiger", a homeless girl who sets out on a journey in search of her long-lost father. The girl travels from a firework factory in China to a remote construction camp in the Rockies where thousands of desperate Chinese risk their lives building the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway with the dream of making a fortune. Disguised as a boy, Little Tiger survives prejudice and treachery in a perilous world and falls in love with the playboy son of a local railroad tycoon.

Directed by Hong Kong filmmaker David Wu, the film stars a list of notable actors, including Honorary Oscar winner Peter O'Toole, Hong Kong veteran Tony Leung Ka-Fai, and Chinese mainland TV sweetheart Sun Li - the film's biggest attraction for Chinese audiences.

The film, which marked Sun Li's first venture into the overseas film industry, won the Chinese star the Best Actress award (miniseries) at the 2nd Roma FictionFest in July last year.

(CRI June 5, 2009)