[2009.05.28] DONNIE YEN'S PIANO SKILL MAKES HIM TIAN HAN

Photo courtesy of takungpao.com

The film FOUNDING OF THE REPUBLIC, which will commemorate the 60th anniversary the founding of the nation, gathered Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit), Tang Guoqiang, Zhang Guoli, Ge You, Chen Daoming, Jiang Wen, Chen Kun, Eva Huang Shengyi, Feng Xiaogang, Chen Kaige, Andy Lau Tak Wa, Leon Lai Ming and other big stars in its cast. Yesterday the film announced the addition of Donnie Yen Chi Tan as artist Tian Han. Chi Tan mainly will appear in the important scene of "national anthem and flag selection". Tian Han was the national anthem lyrics creator. Although the role is minor it has key function. For example Tian Han nominated the five star red flag that was eliminated in the first round again, insisting that the five star red flag was more suitable to be the national flag. This scene required a firmer performance.

Yen Chi Tan expressed that he had less than ten lines but they were not simple. This scene was the most serious in his career. Yen Chi Tan was asked to play Tian Han also because he was a level ten piano master. After PAINTED SKIN and 14 BLADES Yen Chi Tan and Vicki Zhao Wei run into each other again in FOUNDING OF A REPUBLIC, but this time they become Revolutionary comrades. Zhao Wei in the film plays a female Revolutionary representative who discussed the national flag and anthem with Tian Han and Zhou Enlai. The female representative would object to Tian Han's lyrics. Yet Tian Han received Xu Beihong, Zhou Enlai and Mao Zedong's support and finally the national anthem lyrics were set to be MARCH OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

FOUNDING OF A REPUBLIC's production team has already shot the film's largest scene at Beijing's Nanyuan Airport, "the Xiyuan Airport Military Review". Aside from Tang Guoqiang who played Mao Zedong, Liu Ye, Wang Xuebing and other actresses also guest starred. Chen Kaige was responsible for directing this scene. The film is expected to wrap by June and tentatively scheduled for a September 17 release.