Asia Society continues its ongoing monthly series titled Films to See Before You Die featuring classic films and underseen gems from across Asia and the Asian diaspora with extended introductions by Asia Society's Curator of Film. 

House of Flying Daggers 
Zhang Yimou, China, 2004, 35mm, 120 min.
In Mandarin with English subtitles.

Pivotal 5th Generation Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou’s sumptuous wuxia epic features all-star trio Zhang Ziyi as a martial arts seductress, Takeshi Kaneshiro as a womanizing imperial officer, and Andy Lau as the superior who sends him after her with one futile warning: “Don’t fall in love." 

Released in the US by Sony Pictures Classics following their success with Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and Zhang Yimou's own Hero (2002), House of Flying Daggers marked a high saturation point (pun intended) for the international wuxia revival harkening back to Hong Kong golden-age filmmakers like King Hu and Yuen Woo-ping. The film is set during the Tang Dynasty and concerns an eponymous group of women rebels in Fengtian who fight against a corrupt and weakening government. Xiao Mei (Zhang) is a blind dancer rumored to be the daughter of the rebel group's recently assassinated leader. Leo and Jin are local cops hoping to make good by scheming against her. Caught in a web of confused loyalties and affections, the three exceptionally skilled martial arts warriors battle towards the film's outrageous, symphonic conclusion. As their passions play out against a mythic landscape infused with vivid storybook color— the film, though set in China was shot mostly in Ukraine's Carpathian Mountains— a healthy suspension of disbelief on the part of engaged viewers is rewarded with the kind of climax and catharsis big screens were made for. Presented on 35mm.

A limited amount of complimentary tickets will be available to NYC college students with ID at the box office on the day of the screening.

A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Zhang Yimou, Filmmaker

This presentation at Asia Society is generously funded by the Pratt Foundation.