The Knot, billed as the Chinese Gone With the Wind is a love story spanning half a century. Directed by Yin Li, maker of the award-winning Zhang Side, it stars Chen Kun, Li Bingbing and Taiwan singer Vivian Hsu. 　　

The movie sees Chen Kun as Chen Qiushui, a Taiwan youth in love with the well-bred Wang Biyun played by Vivian Hsu. Due to political turmoil in the 1940s, Chen must flee to the mainland. And he becomes a military doctor. The two lovers lose contact amid the chaos of war. 　　

Nurse Wang Jindi, played by Li Bingbing, follows Chen from the Korean battlefield to southwest China's Tibet. Her determined pursuit of love finally moves the moody Chen, and they get married. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Taiwan Straits, Wang Biyun shoulders the burden of caring for Chen's mother - swearing to find her lover no matter how long it takes. 　　

Love is the theme. And the war scenes serve to reinforce it. 　　

Vivian Hsu said:"Wang Biyun is a traditional woman, loyal and conservative when it comes to love. That's rarely seen today. So this character gives me a chance to experience a kind of life I may never really have." 　　

Li Bingbing said:"My part is a girl who's free and stronghearted. She pursues the love she thinks is right. Not many girls were like her during the period." 　　

The Knot is the first mainland production to use Digital Intermedia, allowing the image to change tone according to the plot. The heavily colorized depictions are a direct result of the technology. 　

Over 60 shots are digitally processed to weave a mosaic of 1940s Taiwan. This shot shows several of the local customs, including a hand-puppet show, Fujian-style opera, a folk wedding and street hawking. 　　

The epic traverses nearly 60 years -- from 1947 to 2005. The crew trekked over half of China from Taiwan to The Yalu River in the northeast, then on to the snow-capped Plateau of Tibet. Other scenes were filmed in Canada. 　　

Waterwheels, houses built over the water and other signature structures were made to re-create Miaoli - the hometown of Chen Qiushui. 　

An ancient street of Zhangzhou, in Fujian Province, also establishes old-time regional flavor. 　　　　

This well-preserved house in Xiamen is where Chen and Wang Biyun developed their affection for each other. From the hanging fan to the old gramophone and floor lamp.filmmakers paid careful attention to everything. 　　

The battle scenes are also vivid, with weapons and other props designed on the genuine articles. 　　

Wang Biyun's home in Canada, where she spends her later years, is also consumed by Chinese flavor. 　　

All these things, big or small, are to emphasize the theme of love. The film shows how feelings can survive, despite great hardship. 　　

The Knot will hit screens in the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan at the same time. The market will be tested, as moviegoers choose between the romance and more action-oriented potential blockbusters. 　

(CCTV November 30, 2006)