US, Chinese stars usher in Shanghai film festival

Keen to gain exposure in this blossoming market, American stars were well-represented on the red carpet that kicked off the Shanghai International Film Festival in the eastern financial center.

It was Sarandon’s first visit to China, but she wasted no time in picking up on local cultural cues. After receiving a lifetime achievement award from festival organizers, she jokingly asked veteran actor Zhang to give her acceptance speech on her behalf. Zhang had just finished delivering a lengthy ribbing to Chinese director Feng Xiaogang, who was honored for outstanding achievement to Chinese cinema.

The “Thelma and Louise’’ star then invited Zhang to a game of table tennis. Sarandon owns several table tennis clubs and bars in the U.S.

“Maybe he’ll play pingpong with me if we open one in Shanghai. And that would be a good excuse to come back to China,’’ she said.

Zhang stood up and obliged, joking that he was an ace player.

“My acting is much better than my pingpong. Maybe you can wear a blindfold,’’ Sarandon responded.

Sarandon’s appearance is telling because she has been critical of the Chinese government in the past, joining other Hollywood celebrities in signing letters urging Beijing to ease up on film censorship and calling on Washington to scrutinize China’s human rights record.

Earlier, Dillon stumbled through the Chinese greeting “Shanghai Film Festival: Here I am’’ on the red carpet and then thanked fans for braving the heavy rain.

Mischa Barton from the American teen TV drama “The O.C.’’ also greeted fans.

Barton, Dillon and Sarandon were in Shanghai just to attend the opening ceremony. None of the three is promoting movies at the festival.