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China’s spectacular answer to the international success of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is director Zhang Yimou’s maximised take on the classical genre elements of wu-xia tales. The usually restrained emotions and inconspicuous political appeal get full scope in this tale about several swordsmen plotting to assassinate the emperor. Tragic love and personal sacrifice is gradually revealed throughout the episodic and retrospectively told story. Zhang’s characteristic formalism transforms each scene into a highly expressive metaphor for overwhelming emotions.