Historical drama 'The last supper' to hit screen

"The Last Supper" by noted young Chinese director Lu Chuan is scheduled to open at the end of the month. The premiere date is November the 29th, the same day as Feng Xiaogang's "Back to 1942". But Lu Chuan is not at all worried about the competition.

Director Lu Chuan escorted cast members Liu Ye and Qin Lan at the launch party of his latest film, at Tsinghua University.

Liu and Qin hoped a live preview would leave the audience hungry for more of "The Last Supper".

In recent years, some period dramas have had actors' lines in modern Chinese, which has drawn criticism from movie fans and netizens. The Last Supper goes the same route, but the director isn't worried about the effect.

Lu Chuan, director of "The last supper", said,"I think a film being under discussion or doubts shows its value. Looking at it in the context of the film as a whole, the audience might think the dialogue a highlight."

The film is based on the historical rivalry between two ancient kingdoms. Xiang Yu, the king of Chu, plans to kill Liu Ban, the King of Han, at the Hongmen feast. The feast turns out to be a battle of wits and courage.

Lu Chuan says his film is about a game of survival.

But his film is said to be literally IN a game of survival, facing off Feng Xiaogang's blockbuster "Back to 1942", Ang Lee's "Life of Pi" and Wang Kai-wai's "The Grandmasters".

Lu Chuan said,"I think this time of year is very good for movies. We're not going to change the release date."

With stars Liu Ye, Danial Wu and Chang Chen and a plot centered on a famous historical event, the Last Supper is aiming for a big share of the winter film market.

But whether it can win the game of survival, we have to wait and see.