Michelle Yeoh honored at Asian Film Awards

Michelle Yeoh, Hong Kong based Malaysian actress, poses before a cocktail reception to celebrate the recognition of the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award at the 7th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong Sunday, March 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

HONG KONG — Michelle Yeoh is happy to be honored with the “Excellence in Asian Cinema Award” but says she hopes there’s no hidden message.

She asked, “I hope it’s not their way of telling me that I need to retire?”

The star of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and last year’s Aung San Suu Kyi biopic “The Lady” is being honored at the Asian Film Awards on Monday night.

Speaking to reporters a day earlier, Yeoh said she’s happy to receive the award where her career started, in Hong Kong.

And while she acknowledged she’s long heard rumors of a “Crouching Tiger” sequel, she says she’s yet to see a script or other plans on the project. The 2000 original was directed by Ang Lee and won four Academy Awards.

The recent reports have attached kung fu star Donnie Yen to the unconfirmed sequel, and Yeoh said she’s a fan and would welcome the opportunity to work with him if a project is developed.

The Hong Kong film festival’s opener Sunday was “Ip Man: the Final Fight,” the latest film about martial arts master Ip Man. Lead actor Anthony Wong and actress Zhou Chou Chou were among stars walking the red carpet.

Veteran Hong Kong directors Johnnie To and Ronny Yu are also premiering works at the festival, which features “Infernal Affairs” director Andrew Lau.

The festival closes in April with the Iranian film “Closed Curtain,” which is fresh off a win for best script at the Berlin Film Festival.