The premiere of Chinese director Zhang Yimou's latest blockbuster has been abruptly canceled at the Berlin Film Festival. CGTN's Guy Henderson reports.

It was supposed to be a highlight of this year's Berlin Film Festival.

But this short clip released on YouTube may be the only few seconds of Zhang Yimou's latest blockbuster – "One Second" – to see the light of day.

The film touches on a sensitive topic in China: The Cultural Revolution. Now the world premiere has been abruptly canceled.

The retiring director of one of the major festivals on the international circuit has been told the reasons are technical.

DIETER KOSSLICK, DIRECTOR BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL "It was the production company and the distribution company (said) that it was not ready, the final thing. And I need proof, the final proof to get the print out and screen it. So, I can't say anything else than this and of course, I'm disappointed, you can imagine. It was the closing night of my 18 years' film festival career and now it's without Zhang Yimou."

Yimou is one of the biggest names in a growing Chinese film industry that's been rapidly gaining traction abroad – luring Hollywood stars into his films; and picking up a whole load of international awards along the way.

His sudden absence has shocked many here.

MAHARI SEGHID FILM CRITIC "I think it damages the film festival because they have to choose – and somebody else had been kicked out because the Chinese film was in. And then also for us, because we were also expecting to see a big Chinese film after a long time."

The show must go on, as they say. But with more than one gaping hole in the line-up.

GUY HENDERSON BERLIN "'One Second' is the second Chinese film to be pulled from this year's main competition at short notice. A third, 'So Long, My Son' will still be screened here though. Beneath the headline of massive growth in the Chinese film industry is a more complicated picture: with the number of foreign films entering that market still facing restrictions. And there is also that question about whether it's becoming more difficult for some Chinese films to make their way out, to film festivals like this one. GH, CGTN, Berlin."