"Shadow Player" wins "Special Contribution Award"

Here's a film which might not win a big share in the market but still is seen by many as a successful one. The Chinese film about a countryside film projectionist has won the jury's "Special Contribution Award" at Paris' Chinese film festival.

The film "Shadow Player" was part of the exposition segment of this year's Cannes Film Festival. It's also been brought into the collection of Belgium's Royal Movie Museum.

The film tells of a projectionist who, loving movies, hangs onto his low-level job despite numerous changes to society. It may be a hit now, but without mainstream box-office appeal, the film faced financial challenges early on and post production was nearly suspended.

Lead actor Zhao Yong even sold a house to finance the film. He says he fell in love with his character's tenacious spirit - which in turn pushed him to support the film.