Martial arts and much more

Nine o'clock on a Sunday morning and nothing much is stirring at the Beijing Film Studios except for a few mainland workers straggling into work. A group of 51 Asian journalists arriving in two busloads jars the draughty and chilly studio awake.

In honour of the visit, this is the only day in five months that production has stopped for the cast and crew of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the latest from Taiwanese director Ang Lee. It is also the auteur's first attempt at a martial arts drama.

But there is still no sign of him this morning. Other than a few camera crews, the only one from the cast that is present is Taiwanese actor Chang Cheh, last seen as Tony Leung Chiu-wai's love interest in Wong Kar-wai's Happy Together. The actor is looking rather lost among the chattering journalists.

The set is nothing more than a courtyard and exteriors and interiors of two old Chinese buildings. So far, location shooting has taken them through the southern Chinese region and the arid areas of Xinjiang.

It is 10am when a tired-looking Lee drags his way into the studio and is quickly hustled away for some private photographs with his producer. On his way, we hear snatches of his conversation: 'It was better last night, I managed to get five hours' sleep.' Former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh Choo Kheng hobbles in slightly later, balanced most elegantly on the arms of two crew members in a manner reminiscent of the Qing Dynasty empresses with their bound feet. The Malaysian-born actress is not pretending to be royalty - she is recovering from a serious knee injury.

Last to arrive is, ironically, the youngest of the stars, Zhang Zhi-yi. At only 20, the performing arts student has only appeared in one other movie, Zhang Yimou's The Road Home. But the woman said to be the mainland director's latest protege is as self-assured and poised as one who has been in the business for a long time.