Before the Beijing Olympics, computer games, television and even the cinema - there was Peking Opera. Stars of the new Chinese epic about one of the greatest Peking opera stars of all time turned out for the film's premiere in a Beijing suburb Tuesday. Zhang Ziyi and Leon Lai star in "Forever Enthralled" the story of the life and career of Peking opera star Mei Lan Fang.

Director Chen Kaige "humbly extends an invitation to critics and hopes that everyone will point out any mistakes" at the "Forever Enthralled" premiere ceremony in Beijing, December 2, 2008.

Mei Lan Fang has been dead for many years but he remains a household name in China. Born in the late 19th century he earned international acclaim as a performer and was the first Peking Opera artist to popularize the art around the globe. He still is fondly remembered for his patriotic refusal to perform between 1937 and 1945 when China was invaded by Japan.