Mainland actress Yu Nan started her film career in art house movies. But that does not mean the talented actress intentionally avoids commercial work.

Along with Hong Kong actor Francis Ng, Yu is in town to promote her latest film, the suspense thriller "Deadly Delicious" which hit the city cinemas on Friday.

In the Golden Bear winning film "Tuya's Marriage" Yu hides her beauty as a determined young woman in Inner Mongolia who rides horses and camels and herds sheep.

But in "Deadly Delicious" she plays a frustrated wife who discovers her husband's extramarital affair and wants him to pay a price for his infidelity.

Yu says art house films have always been her favorites but these days there are also high quality Chinese commercial movies.

"I was attracted to this role because of the complexity of her personality," Yu said. "She is very jumpy despite her calm exterior."

Yu graduated from the Beijing Film Academy in 1999. She speaks English and French fluently which she can use to advantage in Hollywood and European films.

She has just finished "Speed Racer" directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski and another Hollywood film "Diamond Dog." Her performances are expected to win her the sort of fame enjoyed by Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi.

(Shanghai Daily March 10, 2008)