1st Sino-Kazakh production to be released in Chinese cinemas Friday

Actor Hu Jun speaks at a promotional event on Monday, May 13, 2019 for upcoming film The Composer. Hu plays one of China's greatest composers - Xian Xinghai. [Photo: China Plus]

Chinese veteran actor Hu Jun has recently said he feels very proud of his role in upcoming film The Composer.

"The director even knows that I started to learn violin when I was a child. Meanwhile, they don't think they need someone who looks physically weak to portray a musician like Xian Xinghai. I was totally unaware how Xian spent his final years overseas. As soon as I read the script I felt so touched and quite honored to portray one of China's greatest composers."

The film follows the true life story of Xian Xinghai, who couldn't return to China during the former Soviet Union's war against Nazi Germany in the 1940s.

As he was stranded in Almaty, suffering poverty and sickness, he gained help from Kazakh composer Bakhitzhan Baykadamov. Xian put down roots and composed some of his most famous works.

Xian is best known for his Yellow River Cantata.

The Composer, the first Sino-Kazakh production, was shown earlier at the 9th Beijing International Film Festival. It's scheduled to hit theatres on Friday, during the first Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations.

The cast of The Composer gathered in Beijing on Monday, May 13, 2019 to promote their film ahead of its release on Friday. [Photo: China Plus]