Casting seeks a short actor to play big role

China has a multitude of tall movie stars, but the producers of a biopic about Lei Feng are struggling to find a lead star who is around 154 centimeters - the height of China's renowned good Samaritan.

The production crew started the selection process in April and about 1,500 actors and performance art students have competed for the leading role, but fewer than 20 are shorter than 175 cm. And none was suitable for the role because of temperament and other reasons, said Liao Mukai, deputy director in charge of casting.

The crew may consider actors from high schools and other amateurs, but that may mean risks for the film, which is scheduled for shooting in June, said director Liu Yijun.

Liu defined Lei Feng as a figure who was stunted in appearance, but tough in heart, warmhearted and optimistic. Liu wants an actor who can display such a strong contrast.

A solider in the People's Liberation Army, Lei died in an accident at the age of 22 in 1962. He became a national icon a year later after Chairman Mao Zedong encouraged the whole nation to learn from Lei's passion for helping others and his devotion to work.

The official publicity campaign has ever since projected a perfect image of Lei as a lofty altruist and Chairman Mao's good solider.

In a song popular in the 1960s and 1970s, "Learn from the Good Example of Lei Feng," the essence of Lei's merits was summarized as "being loyal to the Communist Party of China, serving the people heart and soul, living in a plain way and working hard, and ready to serve as a screw that never rusts for the revolution."

The producers of the film, however, are trying to rebuild Lei's image as an ordinary young man instead of a hero from the start.

"That's why we insist on finding an actor who is not too tall for Lei's real stature. We don't want any tall stars. We hope to present a real Lei Feng to the audience," Liu said.

The movie to be produced by Xiaoxiang Film Studio based in Changsha, Lei's hometown in central China's Hunan Province, will focus on his growing up, including his love experiences.

Liu said he will not copy the example of other "red films" that used superstars to attract audiences. "Red films" refer to movies depicting China's history of revolution and socialist construction and role models that represent socialist values.

Liu said it's becoming harder to find suitable actors for ordinary roles as almost all young actors are too good looking.