This year's heavyweight Chinese film House of Flying Daggers hit the big screen Wednesday in Japan, winning much acclaim.

The saga's leading actors Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro, teamed up with famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou to walk the red carpet outside the NHK Hall in Tokyo.

Japanese movie-goers waving all kinds of slogans, such as "Welcome Zhang Ziyi" and "Love," enthusiastically welcomed the stars.

The blockbuster has been renamed  Lover for its release in Japan in order to stress the strength of love in the tragedy.

(CRI July 29, 2004)