Li Bingbing joins Jackie Chan for his 100th film role

Mainland actress Li Bingbing plays opposite Jackie Chan as his wife in 1911, a war epic on the revolution that year that ended the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the last imperial kingdom of China.

Li, star of Wayne Wang's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, plays Li Zonghan, wife of Huang Xing, a legendary general of the revolution.

Li emphasizes that her role is not that of just a pretty face, but also a respected revolutionary.

It is Chan's 100th film and will be released on Sept 23.

Jailed director fails to attend premiere of own film

My Kingdom, the first directorial work of mainland singer and music producer Gao Xiaosong, hit theaters on Sept 9, but he could not attend the premiere on Sept 5.

The 42-year-old is in jail, after crashing his SUV into a car waiting at a red light in Beijing on May 9. He was three times over the legal alcohol limit and will be freed in November.

The martial arts flick features the duo of Han Geng and Chun Wu, two popular icons among youngsters. They play two Peking Opera actors.

In an open letter released recently Gao says it is a great pity that he could not see the first reactions of audiences as they walked out of the cinemas.

The film was released in the United States on Sept 9.

China's traditional opera troupes revealed at National Museum

An exhibition titled Outstanding Performances of National Art Troupes of China is being held at the National Museum of China.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, this exhibition gives an overall picture of the history of nine national art troupes, including China National Peking Opera Company, National Theater of China, China Opera and Dance Drama Company, and China National Symphony Orchestra.

The exhibits include house programs, costumes, musical instruments, and miniatures of stage designs.

The exhibition will close on Sept 23.