A still of Liu Ye in 'Jian Dang Wei Ye' [Photo: CFP]

Chinese actor Liu Ye will act as the young Mao Zedong in the Communist Party of China (CPC) anniversary film 'Jian Dang Wei Ye'. The film began shooting on August.18 in Beijing, M1905.com reports.

Liu said his French wife Anais Martane was the first person to mention that he has similar facial features to Mao Zedong, and recommended him to the directors Han Sanping and Huang Jianxin.

The directors were both confident about their choice after Liu was put in makeup.

The Communist Party of China was founded on July 1, 1921. The film tells the story of several historic characters and events related to the founding of the party between 1911 and 1921.

'Jian Dang Wei Ye' will be shot in five months and open in 2011.