"Til Death Do Us Part» stars Zhang Ziyi, known for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and Hong Kong actor-singer Aaron Kwok. Gu said the role of an ostracized patient "really belonged to no one other than Ziyi." Zhang told the Associated Press on Tuesday she found it hard to separate herself from the role emotionally.

She said, «I was always living in the world of my character.» Gu and his actress-wife, cast member Jiang Wenli, said they initially couldn't picture the glamorous Kwok as a down-to-earth villager but were pleasantly surprised. The film opens in China on May 10.