The promotional poster for movie "Mei Lanfang". [Photo: ent.qq.com]

Forever Enthralled is a biopic about the Peking opera legend Mei Langfang, who is reputed for his delicate performance of female roles on stage. This arthouse film spans around the major events in Mei Lanfang's life, including his innovation of Peking Opera, a love affair with a famous opera actress, and his boycotting of stage performances during the Japanese invasion. Famous actors Leon Lai and Zhang Ziyi play the main roles. Director Chen Kaige says this two-and-a-half hour film was a product of a lot of hard work.

"The hardest part was to figure out an appropriate structure for the story. Mei Lanfang's acting, his patriotism…we needed to balance every part in order to show our audiences who the Mei Langfang was."

The director's interpretation of the Peking Opera legend has won him a lot of great feedback. Gao Jun, the vice director of New Film Association, elaborates.

"21 days after the premiere of Forever Enthralled, box office earnings have already exceeded 100 million Yuan. The attendance of the film has been nearly 100 percent for many days. But unlike commercial blockbusters, this film attracts more middle-aged and senior viewers. They comprise more than 30% of the audience."