The historical Chinese movie Tokyo Trial is finally set to hit movie theaters on September 1 across China. 　

 

Led by director Gao Qunshu, all the cast met the press in Beijing on Wednesday. 　　

 

Six main theater chains in China will join for the first time to screen the Chinese film. 　　

 

The movie centers on the trial of top Japanese war criminals at the International Military tribunal for the Far East nearly 60 years ago. Eighty percent of the dialogue is in English and Japanese, adding to the international flavor of the film. 　　

 

The director revealed he had borrowed 5 million yuan to finish the film when financial problems took place. 　　

 

He has to shoot TV dramas later to pay back the loan. 　　

 

The film also attracted leading US and Japanese actors. Gao said he had thought Japanese actors would turn down the opportunity to perform in this historical movie, but they accepted the plot and delivered a professional performance. 　　

 

He added some Japanese theater chains also have contacted him to buy the screening rights in Japan. 　　

 

With a reportedly low budget, director Gao Qunshu nevertheless managed to gather a star-studded cast for his movie. 　

 

Hong Kong veterans Kenneth Tsang and Damian Lau play a Chinese prosecutor and judge respectively.

 

　　

 Damian Lau

 

 

Taiwan heartthrob Ken Zhu

 

Chinese mainland comedy star Ying Da and Taiwan heartthrob Ken Zhu are among the leads.

 

(CRI August 9, 2006)