Oscar-winning composer challenges young directors

Oscar-winning composer Tan Dun and finance writer Wu Xiaobo announced new movie projects Sunday at the 17th Shanghai International Film Festival.

Tan's project, "Six Dreams — Resurrection" is a competition for young directors around the world, who are invited to create a short film based on his concerto for violin, cello and piano.

Tan said the inspiration for the piece came from three Chinese martial arts films: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" by Ang Lee, "Hero" by Zhang Yimou and "The Banquet" by Feng Xiaogang. He said he used the three instruments to represent the three female protagonists.

The films' directors will join Tan and others to judge the competition, and the six best entries will be screened at next year's film festival.

Meanwhile, Wu said he is working with friends Qin Xiaoyu and Wu Feiyue on a documentary titled "My Poems."

The film tells the story of the "Made in China" brand through the eyes of 10 factory workers. It is scheduled for release at next year's festival.

Also yesterday, a short clip of a new fantasy film starring Pierce Brosnan and Fan Bingbing was shown at a press conference at the Shanghai Film Theater.

Directed by Sean McNamara, "The Moon and the Sun" was shot in the Palace of Versailles and tells the fantastical tale of a relationship between King Louis XIV of France and a mermaid.

The closing awards ceremony for this year's festival will take place tonight, with Oscar-winner Natalie Portman among the stars set to grace the red carpet.

Other big names will include Michael Bay, the American director of "Transformers: Age of Extinction," who will be joined by cast members Mark Wahlberg, Jack Reynor and Li Bingbing.

The latest in the "Transformers" franchise will also be the closing movie of this year's festival.