Chen Kaige and his wife attend Sacrifice premiere at the China National Convention Center in Beijing on November 26 (CRIENGLISH.COM)

"The film was shot due to one of my dreams in childhood," said Chen Kaige at the press conference for his epic film Sacrifice at the China National Convention Center (CNCC) in Beijing on November 26.

Chen and lead actors Ge You, Wang Xueqi, Hai Qing, Huang Xiaoming and Zhao Wenzhuo attended the press conference.

According to the director, his childhood experiences inspired the film. He read the book Zhao Shi Gu'er in the 1970s, when the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) broke out. He had a hard time during the period and hoped to meet a kind-hearted and reliable guy like Cheng Ying, the main character in Zhao Shi Gu'er, to help him out. Years later he got the idea to put the story onscreen.

The story is set in ancient China. Cheng Ying (Ge You) sacrifices his own child to save a newborn baby under minister Tu An Gu's hands. He brings up the orphan, waiting to take revenge on the minister.

Sacrifice is the first film to open during this New Year's holiday movie season. Producer of the film Chen Hong, also Chen Kaige's wife, said she doesn't care about the box office as making a good-quality film is much more important.

A ceremony was held to promote the upcoming film after the premiere. The film will hit screens on December 4, 2010.

(CRIENGLISH.com November 27, 2010)