A nostalgic story and an all-star cast are the attractions of the Chinese animation film "The Magic Aster" ("Ma Lan Hua"), which opens on June 19.

The fantasy film, about a magic aster flower which helps the kind-hearted protagonist, is adapted from a popular 1950s stage play of the same name.

Stars who have lent their voices to the film include Leon Lai, Lin Chi-Ling, Chen Hao, and basketball star Yao Ming, who impressed critics by voicing a character twice his age.

The film is produced by Shanghai Animation Film Studio, which in the 1960s made "Uproar in Heaven", one of the best-known Chinese animations in the West.

"The Magic Aster"
Director: Yao Guanghua
Cast: Leon Lai, Chen Hao, Lin Chi-Ling, Yao Ming, Li Yang
Genre: Anime/Fantasy
Release Date (China): June 19, 2009


Cast members Li Yang (left) and Chen Hao promote the new animated film "The Magic Aster" in Beijing on June 16, 2009. (CRIENGLISH.com Photo)

Source: CRIENGLISH.com