9th century China. 10-year old general's daughter Nie Yinniang is abducted by 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 promised - a cousin who now leads the largest 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.
Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Cast: Shu Qi, Chang Chen, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Ethan Ruan, Nikki Hsieh, Ni Dahong,Zhang Shijun, Michael Chang, Jiang Wen, Zuo Xiaoqing, Xu Fan, Tadanobu Asano,Zhou Yunin
Cinematography: Mark Lee
Script: Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Chu Tien-Wen, A. Cheng
Production: Central Motion Pictures, China Dream Film Culture Industry,Wen-Ying Huang, Ching-Song Liao
Country: Taiwan
Year: 2015
Runtime: 120 MIN.
2015: Cannes Film Festival: Best Director
,2015: BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Film
, 2015: Satellite Awards: Best Costume Design. 2 Nominations
,2015: Critics Choice Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film
,2015: Chicago Film Critics Awards: 2 Nom. incl. Best Foreign Language Film