Director: Chen Kaige
Script.: Wang Peigong, Chen Kaige
Cinema.: Zhao Fei
Design.: Tu Juhua
Edit.: Zhao Xinxia
Sound: Tao Jing
Music: Zhao Jiping
Cast: Gong Li, Zhang Fengyi, Chen Kaige, Li Xuejian, Sun Zhou, Wang Zhiwen, Gu Yongfei, Ding Haifeng
Production: Shin Corporation, C/O NDF, Le Studio Canal +, Beijing Film
Distribution:
Tamasa Distribution
63, rue de Ponthieu
75008 Paris
tél. : 01 43 59 01 01
fax : 01 43 59 64 41
contact@tamasadiffusion
www.tamasadiffusion.com
Year: 1999
35 mm, Color, 160 min, Mandarin Chinese with French subtitles
Official selection Cannes
Film Festival 1999
Third century BC. King Qin is obsessed with the idea of unifying the seven kingdoms of China to create one huge empire he would rule, thus becoming the first emperor of China. He promises Lady Zhao, his first love, that he will achieve it without violence nor killing. She suggests that a fake plot of his murder should be instigated in order to justify the invasion of the Yan neighbour kingdom and to win the others over. Lady Zhao is searching for the murderer, finds him and gets involved in a love story with him. Qin king is told the truth about his birth, which causes bloodshed within his own family and all over his native province of Zhao. Witnessing the kingdoms ablaze, Lady Zhao has no other choice than turn against her former lover and request the murderer to execute bloodthirsty king Qin.
"I have always been interested in history. I consider oblivion and amnesia two dreadful scourges. Nevertheless I am not a specialist nor a theoretician, I am more interested by the characters”. Chen Kaige
"I have always been interested in history. I consider oblivion and amnesia two dreadful scourges. Nevertheless I am not a specialist nor a theoretician, I am more interested by the characters”. Chen Kaige
