Festival\'s Tribute to Shakespeare Program Launched by Legendary Stage Star Ian McKellen

"I love live theater for the direct communication possible with the audience," said Ian McKellen.

　　The legendary British actor Sir Ian McKellen yesterday kicked off the Shakespeare on Film program of the ongoing Shanghai International Film and TV Festival.

　　The program will showcase cinematic interpretations, in classic or adapted styles, of the revered British playwright\'s works.

　　"I don\'t have a religion, but if I were to have a god, it would be Shakespeare," McKellan said of the significance to him of The Bard at yesterday\'s press conference.

　　In China, McKellen is best known for his celebrated film role as Gandalf the Grey from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

　　The festival showcase includes the 1995 production of "Richard III," co-written and co-produced by McKellen who is famous for his stage and cinematic portrayals of many Shakespearean characters.

　　He had previously portrayed the role of the hunchback king in the classic theater and daringly set the later film adaptation in an alternative and fictional 1930s\' England ruled by fascists.

　　"I love live theater for the direct communication possible with the audience," the actor said."Film acting is dead when a production is completed, but when you show it on screen it comes back to life as fresh as new," he said of the differences between theatrical and cinematic shows.

　　Other cinematic adaptations of Shakespeare to be shown during the festival include: the 1968 production of "Romeo and Juliet," which won Academy Awards for best cinematography and costume design; the 1996 production of "Hamlet" starring Kenneth Branagh and Kate Winslet; and the 1944 adaptation of "Henry V," directed by and starring Sir Laurence Olivier.