Emerging director Feng Xiaogang says his new period film "The Banquet" is still aimed at commercial success despite being a sharp artistic break from his usual comic fare -- and it could place him among the growing band of internationally renowned Chinese filmmakers.

Chinese film director Feng Xiaogang talks about his latest film "The Banquet" at the closing ceremony of the 9th annual Shanghai International Film Festival. [AFP]

The maker of black comedies "Cell Phone" and "Big Shot's Funeral" -- both domestic hits -- pledged that despite the radical style changes demanded by the filming of "The Banquet", his latest effort would not disappoint viewers.

"I can promise you that the film is very dramatic. The story will pull you in from the beginning to end," Feng told an audience during the just-ended week-long Shanghai International Film Festival, where he was a judge.

The sonorous-voiced Beijing native may be little known outside China, but the release in September of "The Banquet", a brooding Chinese historical piece that is loosely based on Shakespeare's "Hamlet", could put him in the same company as internationally feted directors Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou.

Bringing a bit of star power to the film will be Zhang Ziyi, who won wide acclaim for her roles in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "House of Flying Daggers" and "Memoirs of a Geisha".

Success abroad would suit Feng just fine because, as the son of a Communist Party college professor and a nurse, he unashamedly admits the aim of his films is to entertain and earn money.

"My choice is to make commercial films," said Feng, who has never had professional training and worked his way up from the production side of television after eight years as a scene painter with an army theatrical troupe.

Most of Feng's previous movies ruthlessly take aim at China's increasingly materialistic society.

"Cell Phone", a sleeper hit that raked in 6.7 million dollars, pokes fun at China's ultra-wired society and the behaviour it spawns. But underneath it tackles the more uncomfortable issues of love, trust and infidelity.

"The Banquet" also touches on deception, but this time in a murderously vindictive Chinese imperial court, as Zhang and other royals scheme to win political power.

Feng shrugged off criticism that "The Banquet" is pandering to international judges and audiences in the same vein as colorful, historically sweeping martial arts epics such as Zhang Yimou's "Hero" or Chen Kaige's "The Promise".

"I'm trying something else. I cannot just stick with the comedies. I should break new ground," said Feng, insisting he was not seeking to woo judges at competitions.

Feng's sincerity may not be in doubt but "A Sigh" and the mainland blockbuster "A World Without Thieves", which earned 11 million dollars, have both been presented at small international film festivals.

"A Sigh", about the impact of an extramarital affair on a struggling TV script writer, won the award for best screenplay in Cairo in 2000.

"A World Without Thieves" which features Hong Kong actor and Canto-pop star Andy Lau as the anti-hero in a light drama about reformed thieves, was nominated for a prize in Montreal and won Best Screenplay Adaptation at the Golden Horse Film Festival, both last year.

Nevertheless Feng's efforts have yet to be rewarded with the same enthusiasm overseas as at home.

"A Big Shot's Funeral", which stars Donald Sutherland and is Feng's clearest attempt to win international recognition, satirizes the impact of commercialism on society. Despite its popularity at home, the film bombed overseas.

"Sometimes foreigners say they cannot understand my films," admitted Feng, adding that when it came to garnering prizes, directors had to focus on the panel judges.

"One cannot hesitate between (making) a movie for a festival or one for ticket (sales)," said Feng. "As a director, you can choose either way."

But for Feng, the cost does not outweigh the benefit.

"It's too risky to cater to only a few judges' taste," said Feng wryly, adding that "audiences usually don't like this kind of film".

Nevertheless that has not stopped Feng from showing a trailer of the film at this year's Cannes festival, where Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai and actress Zhang were serving as judges.

Special screenings at the Toronto and Venice film festivals are also reportedly planned.

Promotion has taken up nearly 40 percent of the film's total 13-million-dollar cost, Feng said, making "The Banquet" a big-budget film by Chinese filmmaking standards.