The Assassin (2015)

A female assassin receives a dangerous mission to kill a political leader in eighth-century China.

Director:

Hsiao-Hsien Hou

Writers:

Cheng Ah (screenplay) (as Zhong Acheng), T'ien-wen Chu (screenwriter)

Stars:

Qi Shu, Chen Chang, Yun Zhou

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 30 wins & 61 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Qi Shu	...	Nie Yinniang
Chen Chang	...	Tian Ji'an, governor of Weibo
Yun Zhou	...	Lady Tian
Satoshi Tsumabuki	...	The Mirror Polisher
Dahong Ni	...	Provost Nie Feng
Mei Yong	...	Yinniang' Mother
Zhen Yu Lei	...	Tien Xing (Yinniang's Uncle)
Nikki Hsieh	...	Huji,Tian Ji'an's concubine (as Hsieh Hsin-ying)
Ethan Juan	...	Xia Jing, the aide-de-camp (as Juan Ching-Tian)
Fang-yi Sheu	...	Princess Jiacheng / Princess-Nun Jiaxin
Jacques Picoux	...	Lady Tian's Teacher
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Shao-Huai Chang	...	Chiang Nu
Ti-Ying Hsueh
Fang Mei	...	Yinniang' Grandmother
Chun Shih

Storyline

In 8th century China, 10-year-old general's daughter Nie Yinniang is handed over to a nun who initiates her into the martial arts, transforming her into an exceptional assassin charged with eliminating cruel and corrupt local governors. One day, having failed in a task, she is sent back by her mistress to the land of her birth, with orders to kill the man to whom she was betrothed - a cousin who now leads the largest independent military region in North China. After 13 years of exile, the young woman must confront her parents, her memories and her long-repressed feelings. A slave to the orders of her mistress, Nie Yinniang must choose: sacrifice the man she loves or break forever with the sacred way of the righteous assassins.

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Plot Keywords:

china | black magic | wuxia | nun | love | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Taiwan China Hong Kong France

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

27 August 2015 (China)

Also Known As:

The Assassin

Filming Locations:

Wudang, Hubei Province, China

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$47,892, 16 October 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$613,556, 13 December 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Central Motion Pictures, China Dream Film Culture Industry, Media Asia Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Throughout the shooting, more than 500,000 feet of film was shot.

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Quotes

Xia Jing: [subtitled version] The way of the sword is pitiless. Saintly virtues play no part in it.

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Connections

Featured in Dragon Girls (2016)

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Soundtracks

Rohan / Duc de Rohan
Music by Pierrick Tanguy
Performed by Bagad Men Ha Tan and Doudou N'Diaye Rose

User Reviews

A different kind of Wuxia

Probably the best way to watch "The Assassin" is to play it as 1.5 times the speed. On a serious note, the film takes Wuxia to an entirely different level. If Ozu had made Wuxia films then probably those films would have looked something like "The Assassin". Watching the film is like studying a life in slow motion. While the detailing is meticulous, the storytelling style can best be described as tedious. The action sequences, although beautifully choreographed, are minimalistic in style.

In her third collaboration with the master Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Shu Qi delivers a mesmerizing performance while playing a part that's tender and feral in equal parts. It's difficult to detest the ferocious killer she has become. It's difficult not to fall in love with the assassin who once was a princess. It's difficult not to be in awe of Hou Hsiao-Hsien after watching the film. It's difficult to wipe off the images from one's mind long after the end credits begin to roll. It's difficult to watch it just once.

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