Director Zhang Yimou. [Photo/Mtime]

In this second-instance judgement by the Beijing Third Intermediate People's Court, the sum was reduced from 15 million yuan after an appeal by New Picture.

Zhang said he had signed an agreement with the company in 2009 under which they would each get a 50-percent share of the revenue from A Simple Noodle Story minus the film's promotional costs. But the director claimed he never received any money.

Zhang filed a lawsuit against the company in 2014.

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