China to likely bring 'Flowers' to Oscar

SHANGHAI - Zhang Yimou's WW2 epic "Flowers of War," which stars Christian Bale, looks set to become China's entry for that foreign-language Oscar, as Ann Hui's "An Easy Existence" is going to be Hong Kong's entry for that award.Liu Chun, a spox for that worldwide portion of China's Film Bureau, stated the ultimate decision could be made on Friday, but "Flowers," formerly entitled "Heroes of Nanjing" and China's most costly movie ever having a budget of $93 million, was the only real candidate to represent China within the category.Pic handles the Rape of Nanking, the massacre that adopted the invasion of China's war time capital, now known as Nanjing, on 12 ,. 13, 1937.The pic will screen for any week from Sept. 24 to satisfy the Oscar screening requrirements.The "Enhance the Red-colored Lantern" and "Red-colored Sorghum" helmer is wishing that "Flowers" will open china biz overseas."An Easy Existence," which gained kudos in the Venice Worldwide Film Festival, continues to be selected as Hong Kong's contender for that foreign-language Oscar.Hui's film features Andy Lau like a film producer, and veteran thesp Deanie Ip gained Venice's Coppa Volpi for the best actress on her role within the pic."An Easy Existence" can also be obtaining a restricted theatrical release to satisfy the Oscar needs. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com