The films "Run for Love" and "Kill Time" have both been slated for a Valentine's Day release, but the former film with five top-grossing directors and star cast has attracted a lot media attention, as reported by CRIEnglish.
"Run for Love," domestically titled "Ben Ai," is a Chinese romance anthology film that features five separate love stories directed by five different directors: Zhang Yibai, Guan Hu, Zhang Meng, Teng Huatao and Gao Qunshu.
Both audiences and media have been abuzz about how the five Chinese directors have set their respective segments of the film in different parts of the world. Segments of the film were set in Japan, the United States, Norway, Turkey and the Pacific Island of Saipan.
The segment shot in Saipan was directed by Gao Qunshu. Unlike the other two segments that feature an actor and actress to portray the couple, Gao's segment features two actresses to interpret his own understanding of the pursuit of love.
"My part tells a story about killing a person a girl loves. This is a very extreme love story between two girls. The two girls used to be hostile toward each other. Later, they became intimate in each other's life," said Gao during an interview.
Tong Liya and Zhou Dongyu portray the two lead actresses in Gao's segment of the film.
Zhou Dongyu, who rose to fame after her appearance in "Under the Hawthorn Tree" by Zhang Yimou, explained her role in the film during its first press conference.
"As the film name 'Run for Love' indicates, my character is a girl who's brave enough to explore and express love regardless of all the adverse conditions," said Zhou.
Gao has denied that his segment is a lesbian film. However, the trailer of the film shows Zhou and Tong chained to a bed.
Zhang Yibai's segment has also attracted attention for casting Zhang Ziyi.
The segment was reportedly Zhang Ziyi's last film before giving birth in late December, which is why she was absent at both promotional press conferences.
Zhang Ziyi's husband, Chinese rock musician Wang Feng, composed and sung the film's theme song, "Thanks."