Film about 7th-century Chinese monk Xuan Zang out in April

Actors Xu Zheng (left) and Huang Xiaoming (right) in a promotional poster for a film about the journeys of 7th-century monk Xuan Zang. PHOTO: XUAN ZANG/WEIBO

BEIJING • An epic about 7th-century Chinese monk Xuan Zang will be released in Chinese cinemas on April 29, one of its producers said on Monday. Xuan Zang tells the legendary story of the monk's arduous journey alone to India seeking Buddhist scriptures during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), said Xinhua News Agency. His trip became the basis for the classic novel Journey To The West.

Producers also released posters showing Chinese star Huang Xiao- ming in the lead role. The cast includes China's Luo Jin, Hong Kong's Kent Tong and Taiwan's Vivian Dawson.

The director is China's Huo Jianqi (Postmen In The Mountains, 1999) and Hong Kong's Wong Kar Wai is the artistic director.

The Chinese movie was shot over a year in deserts and snowy mountains to convey the harsh conditions Xuan Zang travelled under.

Filming sites included the ruins of the Nalanda Buddhist monastery in Bihar, India, where the monk spent years with thinkers and educators of that time, said NetEase website.

A Hindi version will also be released on April 29 in India, said Press Trust of India.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 16, 2016, with the headline Film about 7th-century Chinese monk Xuan Zang out in April. Subscribe