Leon Lai (R), who played the role of late Beijing Opera master Mei Lanfang in movie "Forever Enthralled", poses with the wax statue of his image in the movie at the Shanghai Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Shanghai, east China, Dec. 3, 2008. The statue's unveiling ceremony was held here Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhu Liangcheng) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Dec. 5 -- The fervor for Golden Palm-winning Chinese director Chen Kaige's new film "Forever Enthralled" has extended to the Madame Tussaudes wax museum in Shanghai.

    Leon Lai, who plays Peking opera legend Mei Lanfang in the film, inaugurated a wax figure of himself in Shanghai on Wednesday.

    The waxed Lai, clad in a white suit striking a typical Mei pose from the film, has been installed in a section dedicated to "Forever Enthralled", where visitors can learn about the film by playing interactive games.

    Lai and other crew members, including lead actress Zhang Ziyi and director Chen Kaige, were in Shanghai to attend the film's local premiere, following its global premiere in Beijing the day before.

    The film will be screened in theaters on Thursday.

    "Forever Enthralled" centers on the life of Mei Lanfang (1894-1961), known as one of the earliest Peking opera artists to promote the art form abroad.

    It is the first film by Chen Kaige in three years. Chen won the Golden Palm award at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival for another Peking opera-centered film, "Farewell My Concubine".

    (Source: CRIENGLISH. com)

Peking Opera master biopic starring Zhang Ziyi to debut in Beijing

Cast members Zhang Ziyi (left) and Leon Lai attend the global premiere of "Forever Enthralled", Chen Kaige's biopic of Peking opera legend Mei Lanfang, on December 2, 2008 in Beijing. The film will open in Chinese theaters on December 5. (Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/ent.sina.com.cn) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A movie about renowned Peking Opera artist Mei Lanfang, starring actress Zhang Ziyi of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" fame and Hong Kong star Leon Lai, is to open here on Friday, the China Film Group Corp. said.

    "Forever Enthralled" depicts the life and career of Mei, a contemporary of Charlie Chaplin.