Hong Kong actor Lau Ching-wan in Life Without Principle, which is vying for the Golden Lion award. Provided to China Daily

While no Chinese film has been entered in the Cannes International Film Festival this year, there will be three competitors for the Golden Lion in Venice.

Hong Kong director Johnnie To's new work Life Without Principle has been added to the line-up of the 68th Venice International Film Festival.

The heist flick tells of how a financial analyst, a thug and a cop, who share a desperate need for money, are linked when a bag of stolen money worth 4 million euros appears.

Another veteran Hong Kong filmmaker, Ann Hui, will challenge To with A Simple Life.

The tearjerker is based on the true story about the film's producer Roger Lee and a family servant who took care of him for more than 60 years.

Taiwan director Wei Te-sheng joins the competition with an ambitious work titled Seediq Bale, literally "A Real Man". The 135-minute film depicts Taiwan aboriginal Seediq's fight against the Japanese rulers in 1930.

Date: Aug 31 to Sept 10

Venue: Venice

Website: www.labiennale.org

China Daily