Video: Exclusive: Life of Pi first look Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) directs Life of Pi, based upon Yann Martel's 2001 Booker-winning novel, which became a best-selling hit. An adventure of magical realism, Life of Pi follows the story of a young man's survival at sea against almost impossible odds. It follows the protagonist Piscine Molitor - or Pi - played in the film by Suraj Sharma - as he tries to survive 227 days after a shipwreck. Pi is stranded on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, with a Bengal tiger for company. Pi was given his name after a swimming pool in France. His father owns a zoo, which is the reason why Pi is surrounded by animals on his boat in the ocean. Ang Lee cast Sharma in the main role, despite the actor having no previous experience. Lee has shot his adaptation in 3D and David Magee has adapted the screenplay. As well as Sharma, the cast includes Rafe Spall and Gerard Depardieu. The film is in cinemas 20 December