Beijing Galloping Horse (BGH) has announced that John Woo’s upcoming Chinese-language romantic epic has been titled The Crossing and will be made as a two-part feature.

The first feature is tentatively set for release at the end of 2014, with the second to be released in 2015. Production is scheduled to start in June with Zhang Ziyi and Korean actress Song Hye-kyo in the ensemble cast.

The Crossing refers to the physical and psychological journey the characters take over the course of half a century. Scripted by Wang Huiling (Lust, Caution), the film follows six characters and their intertwining love stories set against the backdrop of 1940s Taiwan and Shanghai.

“It is a physical journey that sees the protagonists enduring war, and a voyage to start a new life, but also a psychological journey as they overcome the numerous tribulations in their path,” said BGH in a statement.

Woo added: “It is about three couples from different backgrounds whose lives are affected by the tide of history. They survive war and disaster to finally find happiness. But this is not a heavy or sad story. It is a story of hope, and has a lot of action, drama and humour.”

BGH is producing the $30m film along with Woo and Terence Chang’s Lion Rock Productions, China Film Group and Zhejiang Huace Film & TV.

Woo also made Chinese-language historical epic Red Cliff as a two-part feature although it was eventually cut as one feature for international distribution. The Crossing producers said there are no plans at present to do the same for this film.

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