(04/01/08) - Titled as "Escape from Huang Shi", the film was premiered in Taipei, Taiwan on March 31. Some local celebrities attended the event. Taiwan's Rouge Entertainment Group is one of the co-production companies- A press conference and the Mainland China premiere ceremony of The Children of Huang Shi were held in Huangshi City, Hubei Province on March 31. More than 100 reporters - mostly from Mainland China - attended the activities. The attendees included actor Chow Yun-Fat, director Roger Spottiswoode, producer Arthur Cohn, cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding and several child actors. Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Radha Mitchell did not attend the premeire although the Chinese organizer kept claiming they would come even the day before. Being the only main actor at the premiere activities, Chow Yun-Fat was the absolute center focus. A press screening was held on the morning of the 31st in Huangshi. The official "premiere screening" in Mainland China was held at the Xinshiji Cinema in Beijing on April 1st. Director Roger Spottiswoode and several child actors attended the Beijing premiere.
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Before the press conference in Huangshi, every reporter received a printed "press release" from the Chinese organizer, which included the shocking title "Director Angry On Two Leads' Absence". The piece said Jonathan Rhys Meyers was busy with a new film project and Radha Mitchell felt the trip was too much trouble and refused to come. It said the director complained the two leads "have no discipline" and said it's silly if someone thinks the Chinese market is not important. However, reporters who attended the press conference reported that the director did not show any anger, but instead, showed understanding and explained Meyers and Mitchell were both in the U.S., shooting a new film and testing for a new role respectively, and it was not possible for them to make the trip which basically would cost them a week. Both of them sent in video greetings. Reporters already knew in advance that Michelle would be absent due to a schedule conflict. She was in New York yesterday attending the United Nations General Assembly as an ambassador for the Make Roads Safe campaign.
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According to Huangshi local media, more than 15,000 people attended the evening premiere ceremony. About 1,100 police were used for security. Reportedly large-scale activities such as this will be restricted soon in many places in Mainland China, since the government fears any large gathering may turn into an anti-government demonstration before the Olympics.
As shown on Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre
