WongKar-Wai's long-gestating 2046 is finally back in production in China and Hong Kong andis set to wrap at the end of March for delivery in time for this year's Cannes.

The $15m film has been in and out of production since Wong shot In The MoodFor Love three yearsago, although the Hong Kong auteur is understood to have discarded much of the earlier footage.The stellar cast includes TonyLeung Chiu-wai and Maggie Cheung,who played In The Mood For Love's ill-fated lovers; fellow Hong Kong actors Faye Wong,Chang Chen and Carina Lau Ka-ling;and mainland star Zhang Ziyi. Japanese pop star Kimura Takuya and hot Thai actor-singer Birdi Thongchai McIntyrealso star.

As Wong works under a cloak of artistic secrecy, little is known about thestory except that the title refers to the end of the 50-year period duringwhich China has promised not to change the status of Hong Kong.

Fortissimo Film Sales is handling international sales on the film which has been pre-sold to 15 territoriesincluding Japan (BVI), Benelux (A-Films), Italy (Istituto Luce) and Spain (Araba).Fortissimo's regular ally, France's Paradis-Orly Films, isco-producing with Wong'sBlock 2 Pictures. The crew includes DoP Chris Doyle who won the Technical GrandPrize at Cannes 2000 for In TheMood For Love.

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