Chinese director Zhang Yang starts production next week in Beijing on Sunflower, a family story set against the backdrop of China's 'Cultural Revolution' in the late 1970s. The film stars Joan Chen as a mother focusing on finding a larger apartment for her family.

Fortissimo Film Sales is handling world sales and also serves as a co-producer alongside Peter Loehr's Ming Productions and The China Film Corporation. Award winning cinematographer Christopher Doyle is the film's visual consultant.

Michael J Werner, Fortissimo co-chairman said: 'We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with both Peter Loehr and Zhang Yang whose teamwork on past films yielded sensitive portrayals of family and human relationships in China which have proven popular with international cinema-goers'.

Zhang's three previous films - Spicy Love Soup, Shower and Quitting - have all had extensive festival play. Shower was released in the US by Sony Pictures Classics.