Stars shine for city\'s film festival

The 13th Shanghai International Film Festival opened last night with a star-studded opening ceremony at the Shanghai Grand Theater.

More than 300 stars and celebrities from home and abroad walked down the red carpet outside the theater.

American Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody was thrilled by the warm welcome from local fans. "Wow! What a warm reception!" he said. "I\'m very happy and excited to be here. It\'s just like a big fantastic party."

Chinese actress Gong Li also attended with Hollywood star John Cusack and the crew of their latest film "Shanghai," a spy thriller set against the backdrop of 1940s Shanghai.

Cusack, who had learned a little Chinese from Gong, told fans: "I love you all" in Chinese.

British star Hugh Dancy was surprised to receive a  Haibao, the Shanghai Expo mascot, from local people to celebrate his birthday on June 19.

"This is already the best birthday present I’ve ever received. Thank you," Dancy told them.

Japanese actress Takako Tokiwa said she had visited Shanghai no less than 20 times. "I love eating hairy crabs," she said in Shanghai dialect.

The festival also attracted French film maker Luc Besson, who is here to promote his new film “The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec.”  During the opening ceremony, he received the Outstanding Artistic Life Achievement Award.

"It is a wonderful year for Shanghai with the Expo," said Besson. "For me it\'s a great pleasure to see so many great directors here. I love Chinese cinema. My next film\'s main actress will be a Chinese girl. But I\'ll keep it a secret."

This year\'s jury is chaired by Hollywood-based director John Woo. He advised new visitors to the city to learn to say "Hello" and "Thanks" in Shanghai dialect.

The Award for Outstanding Contribution to Chinese Cinema went to mainland director Chen Kaige, who said that it was both challenging and joyous to be able to make films in China.