Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower recently released its Hong Kong ad posters.

The high-budget martial arts film, starring Hong Kong veteran Chow Yun-Fat, mainland actress Gong Li and Taiwan pop king Jay Chou, is slated for its global premiere Sunday at the closing ceremony of the AFI Film Festival in Los Angeles. It will be screened in China in mid-December.

Rumors suggest the film will be given a restricted rating in North America for its violent scenes. Critics worry it will hurt the movie's chances for the best foreign film Oscar. It was picked in early October to compete for the award.

However, sources close to the production company said the rating hasn't been issued.

(CRI November 2, 2006)