Movie fans finally got a peek at the upcoming Chinese-German film "John Rabe" when its low-profile crew accepted media visitors for the first time on Monday.

On location in Shanghai, director FloriaDirector Florian Gallenberger (2nd L) and cast members Ulrich Tukur (L), Daniel Brühl (R) and Zhang Jingchu pose on location in Shanghai for "John Rabe" on Monday, December 10, 2007.

n Gallenberger induced German actors Ulrich Tukur and Daniel Brühl and Chinese starlet Zhang Jingchu to introduce their characters.

The film, based on diaries left by John Rabe, recounts the heroic story of the German businessman who sheltered 200,000 Chinese people during the Nanjing Massacre in World War II.

Ulrich Tukur, who plays Rabe, told reporters he considered the actions of his character astonishing. He has had deep talks with Rabe's grandchild to portray a true-to-life Rabe on screen.

Zhang Jingchu, who also appears in "Rush Hour 3," showed off her fluent English to reporters in a testimony on her English-speaking character.

The 20-million-US-dollar film is being produced under cooperation between China's Huayi Brothers Media Group and Germany's Hofmann & Voges Entertainment.

It is expected to hit theaters at the end of next year.

(CRI December 11, 2007)