Lucy Liu drawn to Mexican "Nomads"

Lucy Liu smiles as she arrives for the U.K. premiere of animated film ''Kung Fu Panda'' at Leicester Square in London June 26, 2008.

MORELIA, Mexico (Hollywood Reporter) - Lucy Liu is starring in the Mexican-produced "Nomads," an English-language drama.

Written and directed by Mexican filmmaker Ricardo Benet, the story centers on a documentary filmmaker (Liu) who is making a picture about subway suicides.

Mexican production company Goliat Films has begun shooting the feature, whose international cast includes John Cothran Jr. and Tamlyn Tomita.

Rounding out the cast are Mexicans Tenoch Huerta, who starred in the U.S.-Mexico immigration thriller "Sin Nombre," and Dagoberto Gama.

The film will be shot in New York and Mexico City. Benet's first feature, "News From Afar," won prizes at the Biarritz and Mar del Plata festivals.

Goliat, a Mexico City-based producer, has shifted its focus recently from Spanish-speaking films to modestly budgeted, English-language productions with international casts.

(Editing by SheriLinden at Reuters)