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The Assassin streaming

Original title: 刺客聶隱娘
2015 Movie France, Hong Kong SAR China, Taiwan, China Action, Drama, History 105 min Ages 12+
By: Hsiao-Hsien Hou, Hou Hsiao-hsien With: Chang Chen, Zuo Xiaoqing, Shu Qi, Sheu Fang-Yi, Xu Fan

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.

Filmium rating
63%

Festival Achievements

Rotterdam International Film Festival 2016
Selections:
Limelight
Festival de Cannes 2015
Awards:
In Competition - Feature films
San Sebastian International Filmfestival 2015
Selections:
Pearls

Mood

Melancholic
Poetic
Reflective
Serene
Tense

Cast & Crew

Hsiao-Hsien Hou
Hou Hsiao-hsien
Cheng Ah
T'ien-wen Chu
Nikki Hsieh
Yun Zhou
Chang Chen
Xu Fan
Ethan Juan
Shu Qi
Sheu Fang-Yi
Zuo Xiaoqing

Adaptation

Based On Wuxia Story
Historical Fiction
Literary Adaptation

Budget

Art-House
International Co-Production
Mid-Budget

Cinematic Technique

Artistic Composition
Long Takes
Silence
Stillness
Visual Poetry
Visual Storytelling

Film Movements

Art-House
Slow Cinema
Visual Poetry

Narrative Structure

Atmospheric
Nonlinear
Poetic

Pace

Contemplative
Deliberate
Meditative
Slow-Paced

Runtime

Artistic Length
Deliberate Pacing

Soundtrack

Ambient Score
Minimalist Music
Traditional Chinese Music

Style

Cinematic
Poetic
Spectacular
Stylized
Visual

Time-Period

7Th-Century China
Ancient China
Tang Dynasty

Central Conflict

Duty Vs Mercy
Personal Resolve
Political Assassination

Characters

Female Assassin
Military Governor
Nun

Ending

Ambiguous
Peaceful Departure
Spiritual Journey

Historical Context

7Th-Century China
Lushan Rebellion
Tang Dynasty

Key Plot Points

Leaving High Politics
Mission To Kill
Moral Dilemma

Plot

Assassin
Family Ties
Moral Dilemma
Political Intrigue
Tang Dynasty

Setting

Ancient China
Historical
Imperial Court
Seventh-Century China
Tang Dynasty
Weibo Province

Shooting Location

Hubei
Inner Mongolia
Northern China

Theme

Consequences Of Violence
Duty
Duty And Mercy
Mercy
Political Intrigue
Spiritual Journey

Genre

Art Film
Art-House
Drama
Historical Drama
Martial Arts

Audiences

Art-House Cinema
Art-House Enthusiasts
Cinema Lovers
Film Enthusiasts
Film Scholars
Wuxia Fans

Titles

The Assassin

Awards

Best Director Cannes

Box Office Success

Cn¥61 Million
Worldwide $12 Million

Critical Reception

80% Rotten Tomatoes
81 Metacritic
Lauded By Critics

Festivals

Cannes Film Festival

Popularity

Best Film Of 2015
Critically Acclaimed

Ratings

Certified Fresh
Universal Acclaim

Reception

Awards At Cannes
Best Director
Best Film Of 2015
Cannes Film Festival
Critical Acclaim

Production Countries

China
Hong Kong
Taiwan

Release Year

2015
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