After director Chen Kaige spent 10 million yuan at Cannes on promotion for The Promise last year, another Chinese director Feng Xiaogang's new blockbuster The Banquet is planning to spend big at the annual event. 　　

 

According to Huayi Corporation Vice-President, Xu Li, the press conference for The Banquet is scheduled for May 23 and a cocktail party will be held a day earlier. 　　

 

The total budget of the film's Cannes tour is set at 4 million yuan. 　　

 

Xu said that there are no big posters and guideposts for the film at Cannes because the film is not on the competition or screening lists. Instead, the producers plan to spend a lot on professional publications. 　　

 

Xu also confirmed that The Banquet will indeed campaign for Academy Awards this year in July. 　　

 

The film will be screened in cinemas across China beginning in September.

 

　

 

(CRI May 12, 2006)