BEIJING, Aug. 9 -- Taiwan director Hou Hsiao-hsien is now in Paris making "Orsay," his first feature film outside of East Asia.

    "Orsay" is about a little boy and his babysitter, a Chinese student, who inhabit* the same imaginary world. Throughout their adventures* they are followed by a strange red balloon. The boy's mother is played by Juliette Binoche.

    Hou said that the film's working title, "Ballon Rouge," came from the famous French film of 1956, "Le Ballon Rouge" ("The Red Balloon") and he would like to call the film "Red Balloon 2006."

    "Orsay" is part of a series of films to celebrate the anniversary* of the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.

    Other contributing directors are Olivier Assayas, Raoul Ruiz and Jim Jarmusch.

    Hou is known for making small films about the life of the working class in Taiwan, and many of his works are highly praised around the world.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)