STAGE TUBE: First Look - Trailer for Chistine Bale's FLOWERS OF WAR

Actor Christian Bale will be starring in Zhang Yimou's upcoming thriller, FLOWERS OF WAR.  The movie will be China's submission for the best foreign-language film for next year's Academy Award. It is adapted by screenwriter Liu Heng from Yan Geling's historical novel "13 Flowers of Nanjing.

FLOWERS OF WAR is set in Nanking in 1937 as the Japanese Imperial Army overruns China's capital city. Bale plays John Haufman, an American missionary who helped protect a group of schoolgirls and prostitutes from the invading army. In the film, Bale's character masquerades as a priest as he attempts to evade the soldiers.

Preview footage was recently show at the Toronto International Film Festival and several US buyers are currently showing interest. The film, with dialogue in both Mandarin and English, will be released in China in December. No U.S. release date is set.