Hong Kong-based sales outfit The Film Library has picked up international rights to Derek Chiu's historical drama Before The Sunrise (previously known as Road To Dawn).

The film follows the story of the 'founder of modern China' Sun Yat-sen - whose Republican revolution overthrew the Qing Dynasty - during his years of exile in Malaysia.

The cast is headed by Winston Chao (The Wedding Banquet, Eat Drink Man Woman) and Angelica Lee (The Eye, Recycle). Chiu recently directed Focus Films' gangster drama Brothers, starring Andy Lau.

Before The Sunrise has been nominated for best make-up and costume design at this year's Golden Horse Awards, and has been given special permission to compete by China 's Film Bureau, even though it's a 100% Chinese production, and other Chinese films have been pressured to pull out.

The Film Library's Alexandra Sun also co-produced Li Yang's Blind Mountain, which premiered at Cannes this year, and recently pulled out of the Golden Horse Awards under pressure from SARFT.

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