House of Flying Daggers

Love cuts through every mission, every loyalty, and every survival plan in House of Flying Daggers. Zhang Yimou's 2004 wuxia, part of The Next Reel's Zhang Yimou series, stars Takeshi Kaneshiro as a government officer who goes undercover to infiltrate a rebel group, Zhang Ziyi as Mei, the dancer he falls for, and Andy Lau as the officer who sent him in.

Pete and Andy dig into the tension between what the film promises and what Yimou actually delivers—a love triangle that swallows the political conflict whole. They examine the film's saturated cinematography and standout fight sequences, and take an honest look at how the men pursue Mei. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in—The Next Reel on TruStory FM, when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Watch the Film: Apple TV | Amazon | Letterboxd | Original Theatrical Trailer

If You Liked This Conversation, Try These from the Next Reel Family:

The Zhang Yimou Series on The Next Reel—the full arc of our conversations about Yimou's career

Wuxia Unleashed – Cinema Scope—Leon Hunt and Chris Hamm on the martial arts tradition this film sits inside

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – The Next Reel—part of our Foreign Language Films Nominated for Best Picture series

Full episode resources here.

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