Film director Zhang Yimou has issued an official response to accusations that he accepted commissions from China's Ministry of Railways for producing a controversial promotional video, The Beijing Times reports.

Zhang said he received 2.5 million yuan ($400,000) from Beijing Xin Shi Ke Culture Development Co., Ltd. that has signed a contract with the ministry after taxes for the 10-minute video out of the total 18.5 million yuan ($2.9 million) it took to produce the piece between 2009 and 2010.

However, unidentified sources close to the deal revealed that more than one-third of the 18.5 million yuan was paid in the form of commissions, and it was not clear where the remaining money went.

Zhang has denied accepting extra money for the project and pledged to comply with authorities if they investigate the case.

(CRIENGLISH.com July 31, 2012)