The first joint movie production of China and Hollywood will begin filming in October, the Qujiang Film and TV Investment Group, based in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, announced on May 19.

Regarded as one of the largest investments made in a film by domestic funds, the movie will tell the story set in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) of the tragic love affair between Tang Xuanzong (685 - 762), the seventh emperor of the dynasty, and the imperial concubine Yang Yuhuan.

Zhao An, president of the film company, said the project represents a step forward in funding a production with a US creative team, and more partnerships and projects of this kind are expected.

With $30 million investment, the producer is anxious to bring the movie to foreign cinema.