Famed Chinese art-house director Zhang Yimou was absent from China's Oscars, the annual Golden Rooster and Full Blossom Film Festival, on Saturday in order to prepare for his third martial art film with Chow Yun-Fat. 

The director secretly arrived in Hong Kong to talk with Hollywood star, Chow Yun-Fat, about their new martial-arts film, Autumn Remembrance, which also features leading star Gong Li.

Set in China's Tang Dynasty, the film will feature the fierce battles and wars between an emperor and empress.

Talks of Chinese actor, Liu Ye, is also taking place about his role in the film, which is slated to begin shooting in February next year. 

(CRI November 16, 2005)