Female stars make big comeback in 2008

China's film industry was vibrant in 2008, especially at the beginning and end of the year. A bunch of new talented young actors made their debuts... and many veteran actresses who had been absent from the screen for a while made a welcome comeback.

This week's top entertainment news is British actress Kate Winslet's double win at the Golden Globe Awards. Winslet scooped the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories for films released last year. Her performance in 1997's "Titantic" made her a favorite among Chinese audiences. But the biggest story of 2008 for Chinese film fans is the return of several well-loved local actresses to the silver screen.

"The Empress and the Warriors", starring Hong Kong canto-pop star and actress Kelly Chen, was a big success at the beginning of 2008. Chen has recorded dozens of albums, and appeared in seventeen movies. Her role in the "Empress and the Warriors" was applauded by cinema-goers and critics alike.

And at the end of the year, Sammy Cheng, the Hong Kong based queen of pop, TV and film, returned with "Lady Cop and Papa Crook". The premiere was delayed several times before the film finally hit cinemas across China at year end. After a three–year hiatus, Sammy has won her fans back with this crime comedy. Three years ago, at the peak of her career, Cheng took a break from working to escape from the intense pressure. With "Lady Cop and Papa Crook" she has reclaimed her leading role in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.

"All About Women" is a romantic comedy by Hong Kong director Tsui Hark. It's unusual to see the martial arts film director take the helm of a women's movie, but audiences have given it high praise. The film also gives a confidence boost to Chinese mainland actress Zhou Xun, whose private life has been the subject of gossip in recent years.

And in "Forever Enthralled", a biopic of the late Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang, we see Chen Hong, playing Mei's wife. The film was directed by Chen Hong's husband Chen Kaige, while Chen Hong herself was the producer. Chen Hong was once a top Chinese TV and film star. After criticism of her performance in "Promise", her latest effort has met with applause from audiences.

Chinese mainland actress Zhao Wei's humorous performance in "Red Cliff: Part One", gave her the chance to develop her own style when the film premiered in China in July 2008. After establishing her name with "Returning Princess Pearl", a popular comic TV series in China and across East Asia in 1998, Zhao has been striving to make another breakthrough. Although she has not managed to establish a new screen image, she has impressed audiences with her performance in "Red Cliff."

The long list of other returning female stars includes Xu Jinglei, who played a supporting role in "Warlords"; Michelle Yeoh in "Children of Huangshi"; Mei Ting in "Desires of the Heart"; and Carena Lam in "Fit Lover." These actresses have all been absent from the entertainment scene for a couple of years and now are making a strong comeback. Their return sets the stage for a year of great movies in 2009.