Quake dead remembered

2008-05-17 17:03

Cannes - The director and cast of China's lone competitor for Cannes' coveted top Palme d'Or award on Saturday held a minute of silence in memory of the victims of this week's devastating quake.

Director Jia Zhang Ke, whose film 24 City was shot in Chengdu, in Sichuan province where the quake struck, halted a news conference at the film festival to stand and bow his head with actresses Joan Chen and Zhao Tao.

"I spent more than a year there," the director, whose film is part documentary part fiction, told reporters. "What has happened there is extremely painful for us."

The government estimates more than 50 000 people were killed in the quake five days ago.

"The people in this film are the people of that province," said Joan Chen.

"We hope this film can help spiritually. We dedicate this film to Sichuan."

- AFP