Chinese director John Woo's epic drama The Crossing is finally ready for a release date.

According to Woo, the movie is to be released on December 2, and it's the work he is most satisfied with among all the films he's ever directed.

He hopes the film will inspire an emotional reaction in its audience, especially feelings of love and romance.

The film is based on the sinking of the steamer Taiping in 1949.

The Taiping was a Chinese steamer that sank after a collision with another vessel en route to Taiwan on January 27, 1949. More than 1,500 passengers and crewmembers perished.

Critics have suggested that The Crossing is no more than a Chinese version of the Titanic. But instead of having one leading love story like the Titanic, The Crossing presents many different stories on the ship.

Woo has hit back and said that The Crossing is a hopeful film. Though the ship sinks, all the people who survive are all full of courage and can inspire the audience with hope.

(CRIENGLISH.com October 15, 2014)