A poster of Coen brothers' thriller "Blood Simple" - their first feature

If Zhang Yimou's new film reminds you of the Coen brothers, that's because it's adapted from a Coen brothers' thriller.

"Amazing Tales: Three Guns", the new movie of director Zhang, which is being filmed in northwestern China's Gansu Province, is adapted from Joel and Ethan Coen's 1985 crime thriller "Blood Simple", according to producer Zhang Weiping.

"Blood Simple" was the directorial debut of the Oscar-winning brothers, whose films Zhang Yimou lists among his favorites.

This confirms speculation voiced by some fans of "Blood Simple" who found the story of Zhang's film familiar.

Zhang Weiping says he suggested the adaptation idea after Zhang Yimou said he was a fan of the Coen brothers. But "Blood Simple" was not the only option. The director also considered "No Country for Old Men", a 2007 film which won the Coen brothers four Oscars including Best Directing.

Zhang Yimou eventually chose "Blood Simple" and bought the adaptation rights in January this year.

"Three Guns" is Zhang's first film since the Oscar-nominated 2006 spectacular "Curse of the Golden Flower". Away from the screen, he had been busy orchestrating the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The film is led by Sun Honglei and Xiao Shen Yang. Television star Yan Ni is the latest addition to the cast.

(CRI June 17, 2009)