American director and actress Natalie Portman attends a forum in Beijing on April 17. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Portman was in Beijing to attend the 6th Beijing International Film Festival, which runs from April 16 to April 23. A Tale of Love and Darkness had its Asian premiere at the China Film Archive's theater; all 600 tickets for the film were sold out in 10 seconds online.

The film is based on the memoir of Amos Oz, an Israeli writer and journalist. The plot is set during the British Mandate and the first days of the state of Israel, focusing on the relationship between young Oz and his mother and on his first steps as a writer.

The Academy Award winner said the story is about human nature and can be appreciated and enjoyed by everyone.

The project spent eight years in preparation and then went into actual filming and production for another two years. Throughout that time, the project was in constant flux and Portman repeatedly crafted the film script until it was ready. An Israeli immigrant to America, she felt a strong connection to the story, which made her remember her childhood and family, and thought the theme of the story, the issue of immigration, was universal.

Natalie Portman also revealed that she was learning Hebrew again for her role in the film.

The actress said the actress-to-director process was not easy for her, but she still found it interesting and enjoyed the learning process.

Portman added that she prefers to push herself rather than staying in the safe zone; she has decided to participate in Jackie, a biopic of Jacqueline Kennedy, and turned down an offer from the makers of Thor 3.

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Special: 6th Beijing International Film Festival