Chinese director Chen Kaige has Hollywood's backing for a new film about a nineteenth century prostitute who became a national heroine. 

He is cooperating with ICP Films on a biopic of Sai Jinhua who lived in Beijing in the late Qing dynasty. It's estimated to cost 100 million yuan, or over US$12 million.

Sai was a courtesan who allegedly changed China's fate during the Boxer Rebellion through her liaison with a German field marshal. She later married a senior government minister.

Big names vying for the lead role include Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi and the director's wife Chen Hong.

Since the film spans the years 1872 to 1936, actresses of different ages will be required to play the main character.

The blockbuster is based on the novel of same name by Chinese writer Zhang Xuan.

Chen Kaige's latest mega-budget film The Promise drew millions in publishing rights from America, England and Australia and impressed audiences at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

(CRI June 17, 2005)