Modern love story, The Longest Night in Shanghai, starring Chinese mainland actress Vicky Zhao and Japanese heartthrob Masahiro Motoki, is scheduled for a public release on June 26.

The film is about the encounter of a Japanese hair designer with a Chinese woman taxi driver in the modern metropolis of Shanghai. Longing for a break from the daily routine, they spend a special night together in the modern city.

Actress Vicky Zhao described her own role as that of "a sweet heart concealed inside a tough appearance". For her performance in the film, she was awarded the most popular actress at the 14th Beijing Student Film Festival in April.

The film is expected to compete at the box office this summer with other blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean III and The Transformers.

(CRI.cn via china.org.cn May 30, 2007)