House of Flying Daggers

House of Flying Daggers
Name	House of Flying Daggers
Director	Zhang Yimou
Producer	Zhang Yimou, William Kong
Writer	Zhang Yimou, Feng Li, Wang Bin
Starring	Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Ziyi, Jin Shijie
Music	Shigeru Umebayashi
Cinematography	Zhao Xiaoding
Editing	Long Cheng
Studio	Edko Films, Elite Group Enterprises, Zhang Yimou Studio
Distributed	Sony Pictures Classics
Released	2004
Runtime	119 minutes
Country	China, Hong Kong
Language	Mandarin Chinese
Budget	$12 million
Gross	$92.9 million

House of Flying Daggers. The film is a 2004 wuxia romance set in the Tang Dynasty, directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Ziyi, and Jin Shijie. It was produced by Zhang Yimou and William Kong, with music composed by Shigeru Umebayashi and cinematography by Zhao Xiaoding. The film premiered at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and was distributed by Sony Pictures Classics.

Plot

The story takes place during the Tang Dynasty and follows a group of Tang Dynasty police officers, including Captain Jin, played by Takeshi Kaneshiro, as they attempt to capture a blind dancer, Mei, played by Zhang Ziyi, who is suspected of being a member of the House of Flying Daggers, a group of rebels fighting against the Tang Dynasty government. Along the way, Captain Jin and Mei develop a romantic relationship, while also being pursued by Leo, played by Jin Shijie, a fellow police officer. The film features a range of martial arts sequences, including wuxia-style fighting and acrobatics, and was influenced by the works of Akira Kurosawa and King Hu. The plot also explores themes of loyalty and betrayal, as the characters navigate their relationships with each other and the House of Flying Daggers.

Production

The film was produced by Zhang Yimou and William Kong, with a budget of $12 million, and was shot on location in China and Ukraine. The production team included Zhao Xiaoding as cinematographer, Long Cheng as editor, and Shigeru Umebayashi as composer. The film's martial arts sequences were choreographed by Ching Siu-tung, who also worked on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero. The production team also included Emil Wolk, a Ukrainian production designer, and Tim Yip, a Hong Kong-based costume designer. The film was shot using a range of cameras, including the Arriflex and Panavision, and was edited using Avid Technology.

Cast

The film features a range of actors, including Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Ziyi, and Jin Shijie, who all received critical acclaim for their performances. Takeshi Kaneshiro is a Taiwanese-Japanese actor who has appeared in a range of films, including Chungking Express and Lavender. Zhang Ziyi is a Chinese actress who has appeared in films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha. Jin Shijie is a Chinese actor who has appeared in films such as The Emperor and the Assassin and A Battle of Wits. The cast also includes Song Dandan, a Chinese actress who has appeared in films such as A Chinese Odyssey and The Dream Factory.

Release

The film was released in 2004 and premiered at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Palme d'Or. It was also screened at the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival and the 2004 New York Film Festival. The film was distributed by Sony Pictures Classics and was released in the United States on December 3, 2004. It was also released in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and was a commercial success, grossing $92.9 million worldwide. The film's success can be attributed to its unique blend of martial arts, romance, and drama, as well as its stunning cinematography and production design, which were influenced by the works of Akira Kurosawa and King Hu.

Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising its stunning cinematography, beautiful costumes, and impressive martial arts sequences. The film holds a 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics praising the performances of Takeshi Kaneshiro and Zhang Ziyi. The film also received several awards and nominations, including the Golden Lion at the 2004 Venice Film Festival and the National Board of Review Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The film's success can be attributed to its unique blend of martial arts, romance, and drama, as well as its stunning cinematography and production design, which were influenced by the works of Akira Kurosawa and King Hu. The film has also been compared to other wuxia films, such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero, which were also directed by Zhang Yimou and Ang Lee.

Themes

The film explores a range of themes, including loyalty, betrayal, and love. The film's use of martial arts sequences and acrobatics also explores the theme of physicality and the relationship between the body and the mind. The film's stunning cinematography and production design also explore the theme of beauty and the relationship between nature and humanity. The film has been compared to other wuxia films, such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero, which also explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and love. The film's themes are also influenced by the works of Akira Kurosawa and King Hu, who are known for their exploration of humanity and nature in their films. The film's exploration of loyalty and betrayal is also reminiscent of the works of Shakespeare, particularly Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet.

Category:Chinese films Category:Wuxia films Category:Romance films Category:2004 films