Shadow

  • 116'
  • China
  • 2018

The king of Pei can barely cope with losing the city of Ying, but he knows his limitations. So his fury is enormous when his greatest general challenges the military leader of the enemy to a duel. What he doesn’t know is that this is a doppelgänger. The real general is wounded but plays his 'shadow' like a puppeteer. In turn, he cannot prevent his wife falling for his virile double. The friction long remains under the surface, but in the third act of this Shakespearean drama, it comes to a bloody climax.

With Hero (2002), Zhang Yimou blew new life into the wuxia genre. Then he went on to make The House of the Flying Daggers (2004) and Curse of the Golden Flower (2006). The historical martial-arts drama Shadow is a new high point. The battle for power and deceit are drenched in constant rain and a colour-palette that makes even the blood look grey.

Also see Masterclass Samson Wong.

  • 116'
  • China
  • 2018
Director
Zhang Yimou
Country of production
China
Year
2018
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
116'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Ying
Language
Mandarin
Producers
Ellen Eliasoph, Zhang Zhao, Pang Liwei, Liu Jun, Wang Xiaozhu
Production Companies
Perfect Village Entertainment HK Limited, Le Vision Pictures, Shanghai Tencent Pictures Culture Media Company Limited
Sales
BLOOM
Screenplay
Li Wei, Zhang Yimou
Cinematography
Zhao Xiaoding
Editor
Zhou Xiaolin
Production Design
Ma Kwong Wing
Sound Design
Jiang Yang, Zhao Nan
Music
Zai Lao
Cast
Deng Chao, Sun Li, Zheng Kai, Wang Qianyuan, Wang Jingchun, Hu Jun, Guan Xiaotong
Local Distributor
Splendid Film
Director
Zhang Yimou
Country of production
China
Year
2018
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
116'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Ying
Language
Mandarin
Producers
Ellen Eliasoph, Zhang Zhao, Pang Liwei, Liu Jun, Wang Xiaozhu
Production Companies
Perfect Village Entertainment HK Limited, Le Vision Pictures, Shanghai Tencent Pictures Culture Media Company Limited
Sales
BLOOM
Screenplay
Li Wei, Zhang Yimou
Cinematography
Zhao Xiaoding
Editor
Zhou Xiaolin
Production Design
Ma Kwong Wing
Sound Design
Jiang Yang, Zhao Nan
Music
Zai Lao
Cast
Deng Chao, Sun Li, Zheng Kai, Wang Qianyuan, Wang Jingchun, Hu Jun, Guan Xiaotong
Local Distributor
Splendid Film