Extramarital affair is the theme of film director Feng Xiaogang's tragedy "A Sigh." Touching on one of the most sensitive topics in China today, the film has proved to be a tear-jerker, especially for married women audiences.

Movie star Zhang Guoli plays the part of writer Liang Yazhou, who has been married for more than 10 years. He has a lovely six-year-old daughter, loves his wife and has no particular problem - until he meets Li Xiaodan, his screen writing executive assistant - an intriguing, attractive young girl, played by Liu Pei. They fall for each other.

Liang finds himself torn between his caring, but no longer beautiful, wife and his passionate, carefree and youthful lover. Liang tries desperately to keep a steady love triangle. Life can appear to be normal in any happy Chinese family. But the film demonstrates how under the surface, things may be quite different.

The film has a strong cast, who play their roles well, and Zhang Guoli is content with his acting in the production. "Liang is one of the best roles I have ever played and I think I have brought the role to life. I did my best," he said.
Li Xiaodan, played by Liu Pei, would be instantly disliked by people with strong traditional beliefs. She is the "other woman," messing up a seemingly perfect marriage. But Liu Pei does not see the role that way. "I do not think Li Xiaodan is distasteful. She never hesitates pursuing what she feels is her true love, so she is very admirable. If a marriage is at risk of breaking up because of a 'third-party,' there must be something wrong with it."

Xu Fan likes her role of Song Xiaoying, Liang's wife. "If a marriage should suffer from an extramarital affair and the wife suffers from her husband's disloyalty, the husband is not always to blame. She should first look at herself and ask if she really knows how to keep her husband on her side," Xu feels.

Director Feng Xiaogang took an interest in the issue of extramarital affairs several years ago, but did not start shooting until last year. In Feng's view, "the issue is a common concern in present-day China. Liang's tragic family life is nothing special, nor is it an isolated case. On the contrary, it is typical of numerous middle-aged Chinese men today.

"People today do not find it easy to satisfy their desire for a better life. But they could end up getting no real pleasure in the affair, yet ruin their family and hurt all those involved," Feng said.
Feng claims this is an art film, different from his previous comic commercial flicks. But some say the script is

weak and makes a cliche out of the story.
"This film is not for everyone," said Feng. "It is a cautionary tale, especially made for men who are suffering a mid-life crisis in their career and their emotions. I hope they treat their families with great care."