Jackie Chan’s historical drama 1911 - about the Xinhai Revolution that led to the founding of the Republic of China - has been added as a second opening film for this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), alongside The Three Musketeers.
Billed as Chan’s 100th movie, and getting a day and date release in the US and China on the centennial anniversary of the events, 1911 was reportedly in planning for ten years and made on a budget of almost $30 million.
Chan will star as Sun Yat-sen, the founder of modern China, who established his revolutionary organization during the ten years he spent in Tokyo, where some Japanese joined him and fought alongside him against the Qing Dynasty.
1911 will be co-directed by Chan and Zhang Li, the cinematographer from Red Cliff.
Last in Tokyo for The Karate Kid premiere in 2010, Chan is a regular visitor to Japan, will attend TIFF and raised millions of dollars for the victims of the March tsunami.
“I am privileged to have my 100th film selected as the special opening film for this significant year in which Japan has taken its first steps toward recovery,” said Chan in a statement.
“When a major disaster strikes, heroes arise who are willing to sacrifice themselves….At this time, as Japan faces the aftermath of disaster, I truly hope my film can be of help to the people of Japan.”
This will be the first time since 1997 that TIFF has had double opening films.
