Gong Li attends a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 1, 2008 to promote the upcoming new film "Shanghai." [Photo: cfp.cn]

Cast members of the upcoming film "Shanghai" attended a press conference on Friday in Bangkok to promote the movie which will hit the big screen next year.

Chinese mainland actress Gong Li, who co-stars with Hong Kong veteran actor Chow Yun-Fat in the film, attended the conference. American actor John Cusack and Japanese stars Rinko Kikuchi and Ken Watanabe, who also have roles in the film, were present as well.

The movie tells the story of an American who stumbles upon secrets while investigating the death of a friend in 1940s Shanghai. John Cusack plays the American, while Gong Li plays a famous singer in a night club.

The movie by Swedish director Mikael Hafstrom is currently being filmed in Thailand and will be released in 2009.