"CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER" SINGAPORE GALA

CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER, China's submission for the Academy Awards®, will be released in Singapore by Buena Vista International.

Directed by critically acclaimed Zhang Yimou (Hero, Raise the Red Lantern) and produced by Bill Kong (Fearless, House of Flying Daggers), the film sees the comeback of the veteran actor, Chow Yun Fat (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, coming Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End) to the Asian movie scene. The veteran actor is joined by notable actress Gong Li (Miami Vice, Memoirs of a Geisha) for the first time. The movie also casts a leading role for Asia's pop idol, Jay Chou (Initial D,) in his period epic debut.

In the spirit of such a landmark film, the leading cast will be in Singapore to promote the film and to grace the Gala Premiere of the movie. The event will be held at the Golden Village Cineplex at VivoCity on December 12, 2006.

Curse of the Golden Flower is the most ambitious undertaking in Chinese contemporary filmmaking history which brings Zhang Yimou's production to an even greater height. It promises to be Zhang's most colorful and biggest production to date, fusing great visual composition with high drama and romantic intrigue.

The sense of opulence is intensely portrayed in the movie through the extensive use of the color gold and elaborate costumes. Colorful Chinese art glass forms the entire structure of the palace from the pillars, walls and windows, to intensify hues and translucence. The end result is both astonishing and elaborate.

An epic tale of love, betrayal and ultimately vengeance the plot concerns the volatile balance of power between the King (Chow Yun Fat), the Queen (Gong Li) and his three sons in the mysterious Tang Dynasty Imperial palace grounds.

"Curse of the Golden Flower" opens in Singapore theatres December 21, 2006