SHI MIAN MAI FU

China

Synopsis

At its height, the Tang Dynasty was one of the most enlightened empires in Chinese history. But in 859AD, the Dynasty is in decline. The Emperor is incompetent and the government is corrupt. Unrest is spreading throughout the land, and many rebel armies are forming in protest. The largest, and most prestigious, is an underground alliance called the 'House of Flying Daggers'.

The House of Flying Daggers operates mysteriously, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Thus, they earned the support and admiration of the people and expanded quickly. Based in Feng Tian County, dose to the Imperial Capital, the House of Flying Daggers has long been a thorn in the side of their hated rivals, the local deputies.

To the fury of the deputies, even after they fought and killed the leader of the House of Flying Daggers, the House continues to thrive. Under die leadership of a mysterious New Leader, the House of Flying Daggers grows ever more powerful. Feng Tian County's two local captains, Leo and Jin are ordered to capture the new leader within ten days.
Captain Leo suspects that Mei, the beautiful new dancer at the local Peony Pavillon is actually the daughter of the old leader, and hatches a plan to arrest her and bring her in for questioning. When Mei refuses to divulge any information on the House of Flying Daggers, the two captains set up another plan. This time, Captain Jin will pretend to be a lone warrior called Wind and rescue Mei from prison, earning her trust and escorting her to the secret headquarters of the House of Flying Daggers.

The plan works, and on their long journey to the House, Jin and Mei warm to each other. Before long, Mei has developed feelings for her enigmatic protector, Wind. For his part, Jin is surprised to find himself falling for Mei's headstrong charm. Both struggle to contain their feelings, but under the starry night, their irrepressible desire is almost beyond their control. Danger lurks in the forest surrounding them, and the wind is still, as if sensing the tension in the air.

What lies ahead for Jin and Mei, these star-crossed lovers? If this is true love, then why are there plots in their heads ... and secrets in their hearts?
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Zhang Yimou

Written by: Li Feng, Wang Bin, Zhang Yimou

Produced by: Zhang Yimou, Bill Kong

Cast: Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin), Andy Lau (Leo), Zhang Ziyi (Xiao Mei)

Nominations and Awards

  • Screen International Award (for a non-European film) 2004