Zhang Ziyi promotes her new film about AIDS

Life is a Miracle, actress Zhang Ziyi's latest film, will be released on May 10.

At a press conference on March 2, director Gu Changwei said the plot centers on a village haunted by a mysterious contagious disease. The two main characters, played by Zhang and Hong Kong star Aaron Kwok, contract the fatal virus. The two develop a close bond and get married despite the disapproval of fellow villagers.

It is a film inspired by the stories of China's AIDS patients. Gu has also shot a documentary on the subject, currently screening at some art cinemas.

Zhang, who has broken up with film financier Vivi Nevo, said at the press conference that she still believes in love.

House prices get comedy treatment

Cross-talk comedian Li Jing and He Yunwei have joined the cast of House Mania, a comedy about the housing issue, which will premiere on March 24.

The film follows a young man who buys a 50-square-meter basement apartment as a wedding gift for his girlfriend, which irritates his mother-in-law, who thinks it is too small and shabby. Their battle of wits makes for a hilarious story.

Li and He make cameo appearances as real estate investors.

House prices have risen steadily over the past five years and this is a hot button subject. Producer Gao Jun hopes the film will be an amusing look at the social issue.

Popular Russian animation series for CCTV

With 2011 marking the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Russian Good Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, Smeshariki (Funny Balls), one of Russia's most popular animation series, premiered on CCTV's Children's Channel on Monday.

The 208-episode series features animal characters that are honest, upbeat and courageous.

The program received the State Prize of the Russian Federation in 2008.

The first 104 episodes of the series will be shown in China in 2011.

TV drama on Yuan Dynasty in the works

The Yuan Dynasty, a 40-episode historical TV drama, was launched recently at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

Co-produced by Inner Mongolia Film Group Corporation and Jiuzhou Audio-Video Publishing Company, it tells of how Kublai Khan, Genghis Kahn's grandson and founder of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), established the largest contiguous land empire in history.

Siqin Gaowa will play the lead female role, while an open casting call has been made to select the lead actor.

The show will be screened in 2012.

Diplomats dive into Chinese culture

About 200 embassy officials from more than 80 countries gathered recently at the opening of the 2011 Friendship Communication of Ambassadors and Madams on Knowing Chinese Culture, to get a taste of Chinese folk custom.

Sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, this annual event is aimed at enhancing the understanding of Chinese culture among diplomats. It was first held in 2002.

From Mar 18-20, diplomats from 20 to 30 countries will be invited to travel to Yangzhong, Jiangsu province, to learn to play the flute, cook seafood delicacies and do traditional Chinese ink painting.

And the Best Housekeeper award goes to

The finals of the 1st National Housekeeping Competition, organized jointly by the

All-China Women's Federation and China Central Television (CCTV), is now being shown on CCTV, with more than 30 housekeepers from nine provinces displaying their skills.

Produced by Champion 360, a CCTV program showcasing talents in different professions, the show hopes to encourage better housekeeping skills while also paying tribute to the hard work put in by housekeepers.

Focus on marriage in 'Healthy Life for Women'

The 11th Beneficial Program of Healthy Life for Women in the New Century was launched recently in Beijing, with director Wang Chaoge being named its spokesperson.

Wang, who is known for the Impression series, which she has co-directed with movie maestro Zhang Yimou, said charity work was an integral part of Chinese tradition and added she felt delighted to be involved in improving women's healthcare.

The China Women's Activity Center started the annual program in 2001 to raise women's awareness of the importance of having a healthy lifestyle. The focus of the program for 2011 is marriage.