Invested by Culture China, Bona Films, and produced by Michelle Ye (葉璇), upcoming mainland Chinese blockbuster television drama, Athena <雅典娜女神>, is set to premiere on Shanghai TV this week! The drama stars Michelle as a nightclub dancer Liuleizi, who takes the pseudo name “Athena” as she sets off to avenge for her stepfather’s death at night. Athena takes place in mid-1930s Shanghai, a few years before the Second Sino-Japanese War. Since a young age, Liuleizi, her mother, and her stepfather relocated to Japan for a living. The 15-year-old Liuleizi witnesses the Japanese army murdering her father, who refuses to support Japan’s invasion of China. Under the help of a loyal family servant, Liuleizi escapes to her homeland, China, where she becomes a nightclub dancer in Shanghai. As one of Shanghai’s most famous dancers, Liuleizi has connections with the City’s higher powers, the national army, and the Japanese army. Scarred by her stepfather’s death, the vengeful Liuleizi takes up the vigilante role of “Athena” at night, in attempts to find her stepfather’s murderer. The drama’s main male lead, Nalan Dong (Liu Enyou 刘恩佑), is the captain leader of an assault team of the national army. To gain favor with the high officials and information on the Japanese invasion, Dong disguises himself as a Mongolian prince, and easily bypasses social restrictions to attract the attention of Shanghainese businessman and political leaders. Little does he know that his romance with Liuleizi will completely change his life around. Athena is co-directed by Tan Qiao (谭俏) and Cheng Zhichao (成志超). The Hong Kong Film Award-winning Stanley Cheung (張世傑) helms the drama’s fashionable and expensive costumes. When asked about Stanley’s designs, Michelle exclaimed, “It’s like a Republican fashion show!” Athena will premiere on Shanghai TV on February 12, 2013. Monica Mok (莫小棋) and Dean Wu (巫迪文) also star. [video=youtube;4Ybg97gBaD8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4Ybg97gBaD8[/video] Creds: Hengdianworld
