House of Flying Daggers.

Having watched this film on TV the other night I was so stunned by it's Cinematography that I felt I had to attempt to write my first Film review, and try and put down in words just how stunning I thought this film was.

House of Flying Daggers is a Film in the Wuxia Genre. The style is similar to that of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', and 'Warriers of Heaven and Earth'. Released in 2004, it falls into the category of action/romance. It's different to other Wuxia films as it is not so much a Martial Arts Film persay, it is more of a love story. Directed by Zhang Yimo, it is one of the most visually striking films I have seen.

Synopsis.

With the Tang Dynasty in decline, rebel splinter groups were forming, the largest of these being a secret society called 'House Of Flying Daggers'. They become a powerful force and their philosophy being 'to steal from the rich to give to the poor'. The Authorities capture and kill the leader, and when a new mysterious leader is chosen, new orders are issued to kill him within ten days. Two police Captains named Jin and Mio arrest and imprison Mei, a beautiful, blind dancer who is the daughter of the previous leader. They devise a plot to release her, and the Police Captain Jin poses as a lone warrior called 'Wind' who will feign friendship and assist in her escape. He gains her trust, and becomes her travelling companion, his ultimate plan being for Mei to lead him to the House Of Flying Daggers. But the revelations that unfold, and what occurs upon their troubled journey was not what Jin had anticipated.

The film is set in 859 AD, and it opens with a breathtaking Chinese solo dance scene when Mei participates in a game where beans are thrown against giant chinese drums. Dressed in traditional dancing costume with long sleeves which drag along the floor Mei gives a spectacular dance display in which her sleeves are extended and thrown against the drums which the beans have hit. It is a stunning visual performance of traditional Chinese dance. (See my pictures below this review). You immediately warm to the character of Mei, who has a delicate fragile quality, she also has a strength and stubbornness, which endear you to her even more, because even though she is blind, she is warrior through and through. Actress Zhang Ziyi lived with a blind girl for two months before undertaking the role, and she gives a captivating performance as the blind Warrior.

The storyline moves

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