Harvey and Bob Weinstein areback in business with Chen Kaige, the Chinese director whose Farewell MyConcubine shared the Palme d'Or in1993 and gave Miramax one of its breakthrough Chinese hits.

The brothers'new operation The Weinstein Company has teamed up with IDG New Media Fund toacquire rights in North America, the UK, Australia and South Africa to Chen'shighly-anticipated fantasy epic The Promise.

Produced by China's Beijing21st Century Shengkai and Etchie Stroh's Moonstone Entertainment,the film was previously sold to Miramax/TF1 joint venture TFM Distribution inFrance and a slew of other European and Asian territories. Korea's Show Eastand Japan's Gaga, which is releasing through Warner Japan, are among theinvestors.

The film, which is currentlynearing completion starring Japan's Hiroyuki Sanada, Korea's Jang Dong-kun andHong Kong's Cecilia Cheung, is set for a pan-Asian release at the end of theyear.