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drrav3nb · 2 months ago

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SHADOW dir. Zhang Yimou

On the first day of spring, Father was assassinated. It happened in court in front of all the ministers. The killer cut his head off with an axe. Uncle, worried I'd meet the same fate, searched everywhere. At last in Jing City, he found a boy my age who looked just like me. He brought him here for secret training, hoping to shield me from palace intrigue. To protect me, that boy's become the "shadow".

#shadow 2018 #zhang yimou #cmovieedit #motionpicturesource #worldcinemaedit #dailyworldcinema #filmedit #cinematv #tvandfilm #periodramaedit #perioddramasource #gifhistorical #deng chao #sun li #THE COLOUR #THE CINEMATOGRAPHY #THIS DIRECTOR IS A MASTER OF HIS CRAFT #HIS FILMOGRAPHY IS INSANE

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yingtan · 2 years ago

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Shadow 影 2018│Zhang Yimou

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chineseredcarpet · 2 days ago

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Deng Chao takes the cover of Esquire China - November 2024

#deng chao #fashion #esquire china

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adamwatchesmovies · 1 year ago

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Shadow (2018)

Zhang Yimou’s Shadow has a lot going on visually. So much that you might not grasp it all. Between the expertly choreographed fight scenes, gorgeous cinematography, lavish sets, costumes that’ll make your jaw drop and the epic Chinese wuxia storyline, you won't know what to focus on unless the material is somewhat familiar to you. It’s an exercise in storytelling that shows off what the director has to offer when he’s in top form.

Years ago, the kingdom of Pei lost the important city of Jingzhou to the kingdom of Yang in a duel between Commander Ziyu (Deng Chao) and Yang Can (Hu Jun). Ever since, Ziyu has plotted to reclaim the city and get his revenge. His plan - a complex set of moves which involve his body double (also played by Deng Chao) and wife, Xiao Ai (Sun Li) - goes against the will of the king (Zheng Kai), who will do anything - even offer his sister (Guan Xiatong) as tribute - to maintain the peace.

Think of this film as China’s equivalent of Macbeth. Not in terms of plot, but in terms of feel. You've got these deeply-running schemes and all-or-nothing gambits fuelled by a mixture of pride and opportunity. Every action sends dominos falling in unexpected directions - or so it seems. Like Shakespeare’s work, this may make the story difficult to follow at first. The opening text screen talks about a third kingdom the Yang and Pei kingdoms united against before Pei lost Jingzhou. That third kingdom? Doesn’t impact the plot at all, it’s there to establish this world’s foundation and because this story is based on the classic 14th century historical novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” which you’re probably not familiar with but everyone in China has seen interpreted in countless ways.

Though it isn’t essential to fully understand the concepts of Yin and Yang or the forces associated with them to enjoy the film, knowing a little will unlock a deeper appreciation for the artistry on display. I’ll admit I had to so don’t be shy. Understanding the symbolism of an umbrella, water, and femininity vs. that of fire, masculinity and a straightforward weapon like a spear makes things much more interesting. Suddenly, that giant Yin Yang arena the warriors battle upon takes on a whole other meaning. It’ll also make you understand why so many of the characters in this film seem… so reasonable. Even the villains are a mixture of black-and-white, a decision that’s very much intentional.

Let’s say you don’t catch all the symbolism upon a first viewing. What does Shadow offer for you? Awesome battles whose outcomes are unpredictable and breathtaking visuals. Is that enough? It will be. The colours are so desaturated you'll wonder if the film was originally shot in black-and-white. There is colour there, however, and it evokes the look of ink drawings. It’s moody and makes you think of ancient powers whose reverberations still impact our world. One look at a set or a character unleashes a deluge of information. Even if you don’t know what the movie is actually about, you understand where everyone stands because what’s here is largely universal in a primeval kind of way. It's familiar without being predictable.

The more Shadow sits with me, the more I like it. Initially drawn in by the story and the action, I’m now enchanted by the symbolism. This is the kind of movie you’ll rewatch and always discover something new. (Original Mandarin with English subtitles, April 3, 2020)