Shanghai fest's 10th anniversary sees low key opening

SHANGHAI -- Despite Sharon Stone's presence, the opening frames of the Shanghai Film Festival were unashamedly local and curiously low key given the event's 10th anni.

Day one of the fest kicked off with a handful of international names meeting the local press. Stone received a framed picture portraying classical Chinese opera "Farewell My Concubine" from the city's party secretary and secretary general of the festival, Ren Zhonglun.

Thesps Reggie Lee and Michelle Rodriguez put in appearances and were treated to questions about the difference between sexiness in the West and in China.

Outside the city's Grand Theater, scene of the opening ceremony, police closed off roads for several blocks and marshaled the excitable human traffic. Crowds were treated to a succession of local celebrities -- though not the biggest names in the biz.

Stars turned out, from China mostly, plus a good number of Hong Kongers. Giving the crowd what they came for were Zhou Xun, Feng Xiaogang, Jia Jiangke, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Simon Yam, Maggie Cheung, Johnnie To, Eric Tsang, Daniel Wu, Shu Qi, Chapman To, Korean star Lee Jun-gi and Japanese veteran Yoji Yamada. Execs in attendance included Tsui Siuming and Tsuguhiko Kadokawa.

News source: Shanghai fest's 10th anniversary sees low key opening (Variety Online)

News tag: Shanghai Film Festival Shanghai

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