Acclaimed Chinese actress Xu Jinglei will soon start work as a director again.

Web portal sina.com says the actress-slash-director just revealed plans to bring her fourth work to the silver screen within the year.

Xu Jinglei is currently busy shooting Peter Chan's Ci Ma, in which she co-stars with Andy Lau and Jet Li, but will begin work on her film as soon as she finishes.

The 32-year-old star has gained credibility by directing and acting in art-house films, while her upcoming epic, entitled Days in the Palace, aims to enter the reign of commercial blockbusters.

Xu's previous directing, including A Letter from An Unknown Woman,won rave reviews from critics.

Days in the Palace is reportedly about Wu Zetian, the only empress in ancient Chinese history.

(CRIENGLISH.com January 31, 2007)