Mainland director Zhang Yimou has begun production on his second big-budget martial arts film. The film, Shi Mian Mai Fu - literally Ambush from Ten Directions - will be filmed mainly in the Ukraine.

It will star Zhang Ziyi, Hong Kong's Andy Lau, Anita Mui (recently diagnosed with cancer), and heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro. In the Mood for Love composer Shigeru Umebayashi will be working on the film, alongside costume designer Emi Waada and action director Tony Ching Siu-tong.

Although the film will contain many of the same faces as Hero, Zhang insists it is not a sequel. Set during the Tang dynasty, the story involves a love triangle between, guess who, Zhang, Lau and Takeshi. Produced by Beijing New Picture Film and Bill Kong's Elite Group Enterprises, production ends in next January.