Famed Chinese director Zhang Yimou has appeared in Beijing for the launch of the movie Yang Gui Fei.

Zhang is co-directing the historical epic along with fellow Chinese filmmaker Tian Zhuangzhuang.

The historical drama is based on the legendary Yang Yuhuan, who was a royal concubine during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

As the story goes, it was Yang's beauty that led to civil war.

Fan Bingbing plays the title role.

Veteran actress and director Joan Chen, actor Leon Lai, along with rising star Wu Chun, also star in the film.

(CRIENGLISH.com September 3, 2013)