Historical drama, “Xuan Zang,” starring popular mainland Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming, will represent China as its national contender in the foreign language Oscars race, Chinese media reported.
Produced by Wong Kar-wai and directed by Huo Jianqi, “Xuan Zang” is the first Sino-Indian co-production by the state-owned China Film Corporation and Eros International. The story follows the 17-year journey of Xuan Zang played by Huang, a Buddhist monk who travelled from China to India during the Tang dynasty and whose famous journey served as an inspiration for Chinese fantasy classic “Journey To The West.”
"Xuan Zang” was released in April this year and grossed $4.9 million (RMB33.0 million) at the box office.
Chinese media reported that “Xuan Zang” beat another drama “Crosscurrent” in China’s selection for its contender in the foreign-language Oscars category, which China has never won.
The last time that a mainland Chinese film received a nomination was 2002 with Zhang Yimou’s martial arts epic “Hero.”
It was announced earlier that crime thriller “Port of Call” will be representing Hong Kong while Taiwan picked drama “Hang in There, Kids!” as its entry in the race.