The Assassin

2015 1h 45m ZH

😐

6.4

MID

★6.4TMDB · 578

ActionAdventureHistory

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

9th century China. Ten 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.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Shu Qi
Nie Yinniang
Chang Chen
Tian Ji'an
Zhou Yun
Lady Tian Yuan / Jingjinger
Satoshi Tsumabuki
Mirror Polisher
Ni Dahong
Nie Feng
Yong Mei
Lady Nie Tian
Lei Zhenyu
Tian Xing
Nikki Hsieh
Huji

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Hou Hsiao-hsien
Writers: Chu Tien-Wen, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Hsieh Hai-Meng
Languages: Mandarin
Countries: Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 80% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 11 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 4 countries: Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, France.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien, shot by Mark Lee Ping-Bing. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Lim Giong. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Liao Ching-sung shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Shu Qi and Chang Chen and Zhou Yun carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt3508840 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Hou Hsiao-hsien directs. Mark Lee Ping-Bing behind the camera. Lim Giong scores. Liao Ching-sung cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, France. Dialogue in Mandarin.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 80% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released 11 years ago.
3International production across 4 countries: Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, France.
4Directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien, shot by Mark Lee Ping-Bing. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Lim Giong. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Liao Ching-sung shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Shu Qi and Chang Chen and Zhou Yun carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt3508840 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Mark Lee Ping-Bing
Original score: Lim Giong
Editing: Liao Ching-sung
Production design: Huang Wen-ying
Costume design: Huang Wen-ying
Sound: Tu Duu-chih
Stunt coordinator: Liu Mingzhe
Runtime: 105 min · 1h 45m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $15,000,000
Box office: $11,991,669
Return: 80% of budget
Original language: ZH
Certification (US): NR
IMDB: The Assassin (2015)

Awards

Golden Horse Award for Best Feature Film

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Hou Hsiao-hsien

Stills · wallpapers

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Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Reno2016-06-14
★ 3/10
The truth determines our actions. I found this film when it was listed in the BBC news' top 20 films of the 2015. This film topped the chart, then how can I just ignore which is my prime world news feed. The fun part was I saw a South Korean film called 'Assassination' believed to be this, but very I soon realised the mistake. Anyhow, I loved the Korean film that I reviewed a couple of moths ago on this same blog. Finally, I managed to see this Mandarin film, but it was not anything like I've been expecting. Critically acclaimed film, but commercially failed because of the slow narration. Jointly produced by China-Hong Kong-Taiwan, but selected as a Taiwanese entry to the Oscars that failed to make a progress to the main event. Not everybody can easily follow this narration. Because this is not a typical historical film presentation with a clear introduction like in the background voice or in the texts, except in the opening that letting us know where and how it begins. The lack of the character development is the factor for all the complication. So I strongly suggest to read the synopsis before the watch and have a look at the film character infographic once finished watching. The story sets in the 8th century China during the final years of the Tang Dynasty. When a well trained assassin failed to accomplish the mission directed by her master, she is sent to another province for another assignment where she starts to remember her past that she has some connection with her undertaking. With all the bad things happening in and around the royal family, state politics et cetera, the rift is inevitable that anytime the dynasty might fall. The remaining the tale reveals how the film ends with a realistic approach. "The way of the sword is pitiless. Saintly virtues play no part in it. Your skills are matchless, but your mind is hostage to human sentiments." I am a film fanatic, so basically I love all the films I watch. But I prefer entertainment the most, followed by the message, education, inspiration, true events et cetera. I had seen many films like this that I mostly ended up unsatisfied. Because a film without the background score as same as silent lullaby. Speaking of music, when the film was in the final scene there came a music which I compare to oasis. That's the beautiful sound I have heard in this entire narration. Slow camera panning and fixed cameras for minutes is what I disliked in it or any similar themed films. I appreciate the effort to preserve the historical account in a film format, but the type of narration matters a lot if they expect the audiences backing. A film like this is specially made for film festivals, surely critics love it and as I heard they did. I can't believe even if the film critics failed to recognise what would be the film's fate. So it is a slow film then, but when the stunt sequences appeared, I was thrilled with my full attention. Well composed realistic fights, that's what anybody remembers when they think of Chinese films. But I warn you this is not a complete martial art film except now and then you encounter such scenes. It is not even a horror, but there was a scene with smoke which scared the hell out of me. I was not expecting such thing, besides, I was bored to death when this thing came I woke up. The film was shot in the beautiful outdoor places. Apart from the stunts, I loved the landscapes which were just resembled the classical Chinese paintings. I did not find any performances that impressive. I appreciate their effort, but since the story was told without anyone's particular perspective, felt like everyone had equal scope for their roles. Overall, I did not like the film and I'm not suggesting it to anybody. But if you are interested in the Chinese ancient history or love the art films then you could try it. This is first low rated film to review on this blog which is I've been avoiding since the beginning, but decided to write for all kinds of rating now onwards. 3/10

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