China mulls Zhang opera nix

By DAVID ROONEY

ROME --- Zhang Yimou, the critically acclaimed Chinese director of films such as "Ju Dou" and "Raise the Red Lantern," appears to have come up against opposition from the Chinese authorities yet again with his first project in the West.

Zhang is preparing his debut as an opera director, with Puccini's "Turandot" at the Teatro Comunale in Florence. However, the plan to transfer the production to Beijing has met with resistance from Chinese officials.

Leading conductor Zubin Mehta has signed on for the production, which will premiere June 5 as part of the Tuscan city's classical music and opera festival, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

For the past year, plans have been in place to transfer the production this fall to Beijing, where it was to be staged inside the walls of the Forbidden City.

The date recently was moved back from this September to fall 1998. But Chinese officials have begun to suggest that an experienced opera director may be more appropriate for the Forbidden City production.

Zhang will be the first Chinese director to stage an Italian opera. Puccini's retelling of the story of a beautiful but cruel Eastern princess who slays the men who love her, set in a timeless, fairy-tale China, would seem the logical choice for his debut.

Zhang's pics have earned him an international arthouse reputation but a series of censorship problems in his native China. His stormy relationship with film censors there stems mainly from the unflattering allegorical references in many of his films to the national establishment.

Friction was increased with his decision in 1994 to enter "To Live" in competition at the Cannes Film Festival without official permission. Zhang's latest feature, "Keep Cool," is a contender for official selection at Cannes this year.