JET LI FIGHTS HIS WAY INTO VENICE

Kung fu star Jet Li and the cast members of his new fantasy action film, "The Sorcerer and the White Snake" also appeared at the Venice Film Festival to promote their new flick.

The fantasy film, which was premiered on Friday at the festival, is based on a well-known, centuries-old Chinese legend of a love story between a white snake and an herbalist. The White Snake, starred by actress Eva Huang, falls in love with an herbalist after saving his life, and decides to take human form to be with him.

The happiness of the couple is challenged, after a sorcerer, starred by Jet Li, comes on a mission to subdue monsters, including the White Snake. The herbalist risks his life to save his wife, and sets off a chain of events causing death and destruction.

With a modern twist, the director hopes to provide a different viewing experience of the classic tale for the audience.

"In the film, I really wanted to blend the tradition of Chinese martial arts and Western technology and it was a dream of mine to get my actors to do computer generated scenes. Combining these elements is something new, which I think may become a new stream in Chinese cinema."

In addition to its large-scale action scenes and fantastical special effects, the leading actress, Eva Huang said that the film also gives an accurate portrayal of the Chinese society, and a common value that is shared by western and eastern world.

(ENG) "I think it is very important for the way it helps to present China to the western world, it shows the best of Chinese culture, that was very important. I think shows that we have similar values, we also value the people who persevere and work hard at the face of adversity. So I think it's very important for the Chinese people to show their culture in this movie."

When speaking of her co-star, martial arts star Jet Li, she said the experience of fighting with Li on the screen was very inspiring.

"He is a very hard-working person. I think making action films, doing the wire shoots, he looks very beautiful. It is very hard to do, being suspended on the wires and he is always able to hold his posture and stay posed and look very good. I learned a lot from him, watching how he did it and it is helpful for me for the future."

The Sorcerer and the White Snake is slated for release in Hong Kong this month.

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