May. 19, 2004|China|119 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Action;Adventure;Drama
Description: **House of Flying Daggers (2004)**
**Plot Summary:**
Set in AD 859 during the decline of the Tang Dynasty, the story follows the rise of rebel groups opposing the corrupt government. The most prominent among them is the House of Flying Daggers, based in Fengtian. Known for their precision with throwing daggers, they steal from the wealthy to aid the poor, earning the support of locals.
Two police officers, Leo (played by Andy Lau) and Jin (played by Takeshi Kaneshiro), are tasked with assassinating the group’s leader within ten days. The mission seems impossible as the leader’s identity remains a mystery. To infiltrate the organization, Leo arrests Mei (Zhang Ziyi), a blind dancer believed to be the daughter of the group’s former leader. Jin then stages a jailbreak to free her, posing as a rebel sympathizer to gain her trust.
As Mei and Jin journey to the House of Flying Daggers’ headquarters, Leo secretly follows with reinforcements. Along the way, Mei and Jin develop genuine feelings for each other, complicating the mission. To maintain the ruse, Leo and his men stage an ambush, but they are later attacked by actual soldiers.
At a secret meeting, Leo reveals that the military is now involved and intends to eliminate Jin and Mei. Shortly after, the pair is ambushed again in a bamboo forest, nearly losing their lives. They are rescued by the House of Flying Daggers and taken to their base. Here, it is revealed that Mei was never blind and is not the former leader’s daughter. Additionally, Leo is exposed as a member of the House of Flying Daggers, not a police officer, and is engaged to Mei.
**Key Themes:**
The film explores themes of loyalty, deception, and love amidst a backdrop of political turmoil and rebellion. Its intricate plot twists and stunning visuals make it a memorable cinematic experience.
Cast director: Zhang Yimou
Cast actor: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau, Zhang Ziyi, Song Dandan, Hongfei Zhao, Guo Jun, Shu Zhang, Wang Jiusheng, Zhengyong Zhang, Wang Yong-Xin
Original name: 十面埋伏