"I'm trying to make some good Chinese films to give Chinese speaking people some hope for their own films," said Ang Lee, the Taiwanese director famous for directing English-language films, at a recent conference.

His new film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" marks his return to Chinese-language features, and with shooting currently underway in Beijing it is attracting a flock of media coverage, some from Singapore and Malaysia.

Lee's "Eat Drink Man Woman" of 1994 won the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. In 1995, Lee directed his first English-language film, "Sense and Sensibility", which went on to garner seven Academy Award nominations.

Described as "'Sense and Sensibility' meets martial arts," the 15 million-dollar film is based on a series of novels published in Shanghai during the 1920s. Set during the Qing Dynasty in early 19th century China, it is the story of two women -- one an aristocrat's daughter who disguises herself as a subversive outlaw, and a woman warrior who is assigned to track down the mysterious criminal.

Lee said martial arts are peculiarly Chinese and different from Hollywood action. "It's new for me as well. The reason I chose this topic and am shooting the film in Xinjiang, Hangzhou, Beijing and Chengde is I'm trying to make a Chinese film."

"Even a small kid in Taiwan considers watching Chinese-language films a sign of low taste. We're trying to attract Chinese moviegoers and change the stereotype.

"Most Chinese films that become famous in the States are not necessarily big at the box office. The Chinese-speaking population is the largest in the world but why are they all going for English films?"

Lee said he expects that half of his new film's audience will be Chinese.

Talking of his earlier films "The Wedding Banquet" and "Eat Drink Man Woman," Lee attributed their success to the detailed description of common Chinese human nature, which is shared by all individuals. "It is not necessary to use foreigners to portray human nature, but on the other hand, the unique Chinese culture will never be replaced by that of any other country."

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" starring Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun-fat, and Zhang Ziyi will be released internationally next summer. (Xinhua)