The criticism surrounding a round of posters promoting a WWII film has led its makers to give out more material to correct misperceptions. Xu Fan reports.

The makers of the Chinese World War II film, Cairo Declaration, are seeking to calm the storm surrounding the movie's first round of promotional posters released on Aug 14.

It's not about what was on them - but rather, who wasn't.

Responses from its makers and a Friday sneak peak seem to suggest there may be little reason to get riled up about the absence of Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek on the early posters. They featured Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill - who attended the 1943 Cairo Conference that established the postwar order - and Mao Zedong - who didn't.

Posters including Chiang and the Soong sisters were released after criticisms surrounded their absence.

"China's 110 years of cinema has produced hundreds of thousands of posters," chief director and scriptwriter Liu Xing told China Daily on Friday, when the 98-minute film was previewed at the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Hall.

"I don't remember any poster tampering with history," Liu says.

More importantly, Chiang's screen time exceeds that of Mao's. The KMT leader is shown leading counterattacks against Japanese invaders, as well as appearing at the conference.

"We revere history and respect reality," Liu adds.

"Every scene will prove it can withstand the world's scrutiny over time. It may have been difficult to imagine seeing a film on this in the past. It shows China is becoming more open and inclusive."

China didn't lose the war against Japanese invaders 70 years ago, he adds. "Today, Chinese filmmakers won't lose to Hollywood blockbusters."

He believes the cinematograph and special effects enable the film to compete with foreign flicks. The budget hasn't been revealed.

The film, slated for release on Sept 3 - the celebration date of victory over Japan - is among the most anticipated of China's WWII films commemorating the 70th anniversary of the war's end.

The Cairo Declaration - issued by China, the United States and the United Kingdom after the conference - elevated China's status as a major power. (Joseph Stalin didn't attend the conference but later declared his support.)

Critics doubt (the storyline) is suitable for cinema, Liu says.

"They wouldn't question if they saw the film."

Liu is former deputy director of August First Film Studio, affiliated with the People's Liberation Army. He wrote the revolutionary TV series The East, which chronicles New China's early years and topped ratings in 37 cities in 2011.

Cairo Declaration was co-produced by August First Film Studio and Chongqing Film Group.

It was made over three years with a cast of 154 actors and actresses from China and such countries as the US, the UK, Germany and Japan. It features such Chinese stars as mainland A-lister Hu Jun and Hong Kong star Carina Lau Kar-ling.

Stellar casts have in recent years been used to add appeal to revolutionary films.

The Founding of a Republic (2009), for instance, boasts around 100 celebrities, including Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Andy Lau. Beginning of the Great Revival (2010) features 108 pop stars, including Chow Yun-fat.

Lau Kar-ling, who plays Chiang's wife, Soong May-ling, says she pored over historical documents to prepare for her role.

Zuo Heng, China Film Archives' associate research fellow, calls Cairo Declaration a "breakthrough" because of its narration's broad view.

"Such artistic productions will urge more people to hunt for the truth of history."

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 08/27/2015 page7)