One Man Olympics?!

I had the pleasure to meet with the director and the cast of this wonderful movie earlier this week.  When I was young I had purposed avoided to study history and chosen "domestic science" as an alternative subject instead. 

Not only until the last decade, or so, have I begun to be more interested in the history of my own country.  As a Chinese girl, I was deeply touched by this movie which is based on a true story.  I think all Chinese should watch this movie and learn about how far we have moved in the last 70+ years.

TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ZkF47jW4A&feature=related

On my Left (photo left) is the male lead Li Zhaolin who plays the role of Liu Changchun.

Director Hou Yong started as a cinematographer for many of Zhang Yimou's movies.

The Gala Premiere was attended by many government officials.

Title: One Man Olympics

Cast: Li Zhaolin

Director: Hou Yong

Release date︰8.14.2008 in Hong Kong

"The One Man Olympics", is based on the true story of the Chinese athlete Liu Changchun (1909 - 1983) and his struggles against Japanese invaders to represent China in the Olympics for the first time, in 1932 Los Angeles games.

Born in Dalian in northeast China, Liu Changchun was good at running in his childhood. Later, as a college student, he defeated the then powerhouse Japan and won the sprint championship in a tournament held in northern China. This inspired his strong will to take part in an Olympic Games.

However, the athlete had to call a halt to his career due to Japanese invasion of his hometown in 1931.

But his dream of participating in the Olympics did not vanish. Later, with the courage and help from all concerned parties, Liu Changchun overcame various difficulties and made it to the Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

Li Zhaolin, a graduate from China's Central Academy of Drama, takes the leading role. He is recognized as the most suitable actor to play Liu Changchun, not only because he's a holder of the certification of national athlete, but also a fine actor.

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演員: 李兆林、胡軍、馬境、石涼、吳大維

導演: 侯咏

《一個人的奧林匹克》講述一九三二年美國洛杉磯萬人體育場, 中國運動員劉長春歷經千難萬險, 單刀赴會, 代表四億中國人站在奧運會的一百米起跑線上的事跡。他為中國人敲開了奧運大門, 向世人表達了一個民族不甘落后不甘屈辱追趕世界的堅強意志。

　　編劇王興東表示, 希望借劉長春 "永不言敗" 的故事, 祝今年在中國舉行的奧運會成功。

　　據了解, 片中飾演男主角的李兆霖, 是從一千個面試者中嚴選出來, 他被王興東形容為 "一匹好馬" 。王興東說, "我選演員很簡單, 男主角一定要懂得跑步, 看起來要像一個運動員, 所以我在運動場上選角, 最終發掘出河南的李兆霖。"