disciple of Confucius. Ma Qiang as Ran Qiu, disciple of Confucius. Kan Jinming as Zigong, disciple of Confucius. Liu Fengchao as Qi Sigong, a slave in the house of the Jishi Clan. Gao Tian as young Qi Sigong Liu Yongchen as Gongxi Chi Chen Weidong as Zeng Shen Wang Qingyuan as Zeng Dian, disciple of Confucius. Ma Yong as Gongbo Liao Li Chunpeng as Ziyou Chen Liejun as Zigao Tang Muchun as Zixia Luo Minghan as Ran Yong Li Xinru as Nichang Gong Jie as Gong Ye Zhang Xingzhe as Gongshan Niu, a retainer of the Ji Clan and mayor of Biyi City. Dong Ziwu as Yan Zhuoju, Zilu's brother in law. Gu Yang as Hou Fan Huang Wenguang as Ji family servant Ji Yongqing as Shen Juxu Zhou Jiantao as Yue Shuo Awards and nominations 30th Hong Kong Film Awards Nominated – Best Actor (Chow Yun-fat) Nominated – Best Cinematography (Peter Pow) Nominated – Best Art Direction Nominated – Best Costume Design Nominated – Best Original Song (Faye Wong) Music Faye Wong sang the theme song for the film. Her "soothing and ethereal voice" was considered appropriate for the lofty spirit of the song, "Solitary Orchid" (), which is based on an ancient work by Han Yu. Wong, a Buddhist, stated that she recorded the song "for Confucius" as his writings still provide the answers to modern questions. Home media On 4 October 2010, DVD was released in Cine Asia at the UK in Region 2. In the United Kingdom, Confucius was 2011's ninth best-selling foreign-language film on physical home video formats, and the third best-selling Chinese film (below Ip Man 2 and Ip Man). Funimation released it on 27 March 2012 in English dub on DVD and Blu-ray. Controversies Choice of actors After the project was announced, the reaction in China was decidedly mixed. As the film is made in Mandarin, many expressed concern that Chow, a native of Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong, would lack the requisite Mandarin-speaking skills to portray the revered philosopher. Others were concerned that Chow, a veteran of action and Kung Fu-cinema, would turn Confucius into a "kung-fu hero." Such concerns were only exacerbated after mainland star Pu Cunxin criticized Hu Mei's script as containing inappropriate levels of action and romance for a film based on Confucius' life. In his review of the movie, Perry Lam of Muse has criticized Chow for being 'the least