Cooling off a storm

A scene shows then-US president Franklin Roosevelt (fourth from left) meeting Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek (third from right) during the Cairo Conference. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The film, slated for release on Sept 3－the celebration date of victory over Japan－is among the most anticipated of China's WWII films commemorating the 70th anniversary of the war's end.

The Cairo Declaration－issued by China, the United States and the United Kingdom after the conference－elevated China's status as a major power. (Joseph Stalin didn't attend the conference but later declared his support.)

Critics doubt (the storyline) is suitable for cinema, Liu says.

"They wouldn't question if they saw the film."

Liu is former deputy director of August First Film Studio, affiliated with the People's Liberation Army. He wrote the revolutionary TV series The East, which chronicles New China's early years and topped ratings in 37 cities in 2011.

Cairo Declaration was co-produced by August First Film Studio and Chongqing Film Group.

It was made over three years with a cast of 154 actors and actresses from China and such countries as the US, the UK, Germany and Japan. It features such Chinese stars as mainland A-lister Hu Jun and Hong Kong star Carina Lau Kar-ling.

Stellar casts have in recent years been used to add appeal to revolutionary films.

The Founding of a Republic (2009), for instance, boasts around 100 celebrities, including Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Andy Lau. Beginning of the Great Revival (2010) features 108 pop stars, including Chow Yun-fat.

Lau Kar-ling, who plays Chiang's wife, Soong May-ling, says she pored over historical documents to prepare for her role.

Zuo Heng, China Film Archives' associate research fellow, calls Cairo Declaration a "breakthrough" because of its narration's broad view.

"Such artistic productions will urge more people to hunt for the truth of history."