Zhao Wei: Acting as a foster mother is challenging

Chinese director Peter Chan Ho-Sun (C) poses with cast members Zhao Wei (L) and Hao Lei (R) during the photocall for his movie "Qin'ai de" (Dearest) at the 71st Venice Film Festival August 28, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

71st Venice Film Festival opens

Chinese films to add Asian flavor in Venice

Qin'ai de was based on a true story that Chan learnt from a news documentary around two years ago. He decided to turn it into a film that is able to show both sides of the story.

For this reason Chan opted for a switch of protagonists. He centered the first half of the film on the biological mother's struggle to rescue her child, while dedicating the second part to the heart-broken foster mother, who is seen as a criminal.

Zhao, whose directorial debut "So Young" was a major success at the Chinese box office last year, said that playing in Chan's new film was an opportunity for her to rediscover the value of working as an actress.

"At the end I found out that portraying Li helped me uncover and express some emotions and feelings that were hidden in my heart," she said.

Based on positive reactions at the Venice film festival, Qin'ai de is expected to be especially appreciated for its valuable contribution to raising social awareness about child abduction.