Hong Kong comic star-director Stephen Chow's new movie "CJ7", as known as "Yangtze River VII" and "A Hope", has gained him something special -- the sense of fatherhood.

Science fiction "CJ7" centers on the love between father and son. Stephen Chow takes the lead, traveling to the outer space with the help of a spaceship named "CJ7."

Hong Kong comic star-director Stephen Chow (R) attends a promotional activity in Beijing for his new film "CJ7" with little actress Xu Jiao on November 22, 2007.

Xu Jiao, a 9-year-old little girl from the Chinese mainland, was chosen to play the son, also an alien from outer space. Winning much acclaims from the director, she has signed an 8-year contract with the film company founded by the comic star.

Stephen Chow confessed that the new film shows his long-time respect for US director Steven Spielberg. That's why the plot of "CJ7" echoes works of his such as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977) and "E.T." (1982).

The China Film Group Corporation, which is in charge of the movie's promotion, announced that the movie will be brought to the big screen in January 2008, as part of the nation's New Year lineup.

(CRI November 23, 2007)