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The most expensive film ever made in China is set for a limited December (11) release in the U.S. so the movie and stars including Christian Bale can be considered for major Oscars.

The Flowers of War is already a favourite to land a Best Foreign Language Film nomination, but now studio bosses have secured a last-minute distribution deal with Los Angeles-based Wrekin Hill Entertainment in a bid to make sure the epic movie becomes a leading Academy Awards contender.

The Zhang Yimou movie would have been eligible for the foreign award without a December release, but movies can only be considered for the major Oscar categories if they are released by the end of the year and run for seven consecutive days in at least one cinema in Los Angeles County.

Thanks to the deal with Wrekin Hill, the multilingual movie, which cost over £62.5 million to make, will hit theatres in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco next month (Dec11).

In the film, Bale plays a mortician who risks his life to save female students from Japanese soldiers in 1937 Nanking.

It's China's official submission in the foreign language category.

Bale is the current Oscars Best Supporting Actor title holder after winning gold in the category earlier this year (11) for The Fighter.