Synopsis
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.
Key facts
Cast
Shu Qi, Chang Chen, Zhou Yun, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Ni Dahong, Yong Mei, Lei Zhenyu, Nikki Hsieh
Original language
Mandarin
First release
August 27, 2015 (China)
Awards
Golden Horse Award for Best Feature Film
Setting
Tang dynasty
Crew
Screenplay
Chu Tien-Wen, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Hsieh Hai-Meng, Zhong A-Cheng
Producer
Chen Yiqi, Peter Lam Kin-Ngok, Song Dai, Stephen Lam Bing-Kwan
Cinematography
Mark Lee Ping-Bing
Editing
Huang Chih-chia, Liao Ching-sung
Music
Lim Giong
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
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Festival History
- International Film Festival Rotterdam 2016 generic
- Cannes Film Festival 2015 generic
- Fantastic Fest 2015
- Golden Horse Film Festival 2015 generic - Feature Film ★ Best Feature Film; Best Director; Best Cinematography; Best Makeup & Costume Design; Best Sound Effects
- Indiewire Critics' Poll 2015 generic - Best Picture; Best Director ★ 8
- San Sebastián International Film Festival 2015 generic
- Toronto International Film Festival 2015 generic
Titles
| Alternate title | Nie yinniang | |
| Alternate title | The Assassin | |
| Alternate title | Black-Robed Assassin |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | China | August 27, 2015 |
| Theatrical | Hong Kong | August 27, 2015 |
| Theatrical | Taiwan | August 28, 2015 |
| Theatrical | Singapore | September 10, 2015 |
| Theatrical | Japan | September 12, 2015 |
| Theatrical | Vietnam | September 25, 2015 |
| Theatrical | United States | October 16, 2015 |
| Theatrical | Greece | December 31, 2015 |
| Theatrical | Sweden | January 15, 2016 |
| Streaming | Ireland | January 22, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Norway | January 29, 2016 |
| Theatrical | South Korea | February 4, 2016 |
| Streaming | Switzerland | March 9, 2016 |
| Theatrical | France | March 9, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Brazil | May 5, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Denmark | June 2, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Germany | June 30, 2016 |
| Theatrical | Italy | September 29, 2016 |
| Classification | Germany | 12 |
Versions & editions
| Original version (Mandarin) | ||
| Home video | Hong Kong | December 20, 2015 |
| Home video | United States | January 26, 2016 |
| Home video | Sweden | May 16, 2016 |
Full credits
| Director | Hou Hsiao-hsien |
| 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), Ethan Juan (Xia Jing), Sheu Fang-Yi (Princess Jiacheng / Taoist Nun), Jacques Picoux (Kongkonger), Mei Fang (Nie Feng's Mother), Tien Pi-Hua (Tian Xing's Wife), Wang I-Yuan (Tian Xing's Son), Michael Chang (Jiang Shize), Leon Dai (Tian Xu), Jack Kao (Yuan Yi), Sun Pei (Madam Yuan Yi), Tsang Chi-Liang (Hou Zang), Chao Yang-Chiang (Luo Bin), Liu Fu-Hsueh (Cao Jun), Ting Yang-Shih (Tan Zhong), Mo Chung-Yuan (Lao Xia), Tseng Han-Shou (Ya Jiang), Ho Hsin-Yi (Messenger), Sung Ling-Sheng (Judge), Shu Kuo-Chih (Secretary), Shioli Kutsuna (Mirror Polisher's Wife), Shih Chun (Old Herb Picker), Zhang Yimin (8-Year-Old Nie Yinniang), Li Chen-An (8-Year-Old Nie Yinniang), Jiang Yu (13-Year-Old Nie Yinniang), Xie Ruyin (13-Year-Old Nie Yinniang), Guo Baijun (Little Tian Ji'an), Hannah Ring (Yuan Yi's Daughter), Zhang Tingyi (Tian Huaijian (Tian Ji'an's Son)), Zhang Tingxuan (Tian Huaili (Tian Ji'an's Son)), Ke Qiyou (Tian Huaixun (Tian Ji'an's Son)), Shen Menglong (High Official), Huang Jin (High Official's Concubine), Yan Junlin (High Official), Wang Jiayu (Child), Xu Wei (Eunuch), Zhou Tong (Eunuch), Cui Xiaodong (Eunuch), Miao Libiao (Retainer), Bai Qilong (Retainer), Li Defei (Retainer), Lü Ming (Retainer), Zhang Zhenhua (Retainer), Tang Hsiang-Chu (Retainer), Liu Cheng-Chuan (Retainer), Liu Cheng-Hsun (Retainer), Zhang Yikui (Soldier), Liu Xinli (Soldier), Liu Jiongliang (Soldier), Liu Qingzhong (Soldier), Lai Zheming (Soldier), Wang Wei-Liu (Servant), Li Yuming (Wet Nurse), Ye Yijun (Wet Nurse), Huang Sulian (Wet Nurse), Hong Yishan (Wet Nurse), Xu Huini (Wet Nurse), Song Yilian (Wet Nurse), Chen Yiya (Wet Nurse), Lin Qiaozhen (Wet Nurse), Ding Huachong (Camp Follower), Sun Xianbo (Camp Follower), Wu Jen-ya (Camp Follower), Vicky Wei (Jiacheng's Lady-in-Waiting), Zhu Fengying (Lady-in-Waiting), Wang Wenyan (Lady-in-Waiting), Guo Wenzhu (Lady-in-Waiting), Li Shujun (Lady-in-Waiting), Zhou Huiping (Maid), Yan Yajuan (Maid), Chen Bingzhen (Maid), Jin Rongxuan (Maid), Chen Shengyuan (Maid), Chen Qianru (Maid), Zhang Lingling (Maid), Zhao Minru (Maid), Chen Wangquan (Traditional Chinese Physician), Chen Zhijia (Traditional Chinese Physician), Huang Yueshun (Traditional Chinese Physician), Huang Jianrong (Traditional Chinese Physician), Zhang Yizhen (Musician), Ma Junren (Musician), Cheng Ya-Hsin (Musician), Qiu Yixing (Musician), Li Meng-Hsueh (Musician), Wang Hanzhe (Musician), Chen Yishan (Musician), Yang Jipo (Musician), Chen Yingchun (Musician), Aleksandar Stamatov (Musician), Zhan Shuhan (Maiko), Xu Haojun (Maiko), Chiu Tzu-Chi (Maiko), Cheng Xinyi (Maiko), Zou Yinglin (Maiko), Qiu Yuxuan (Maiko), Li Weilun (Maiko) |
| Screenplay | Chu Tien-Wen, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Hsieh Hai-Meng, Zhong A-Cheng |
| Producer | Chen Yiqi, Peter Lam Kin-Ngok, Song Dai, Stephen Lam Bing-Kwan |
| Executive producer | Hou Hsiao-hsien, Liao Ching-sung |
| Cinematography | Mark Lee Ping-Bing |
| Editing | Huang Chih-chia, Liao Ching-sung |
| Music | Lim Giong |
| Production design | Huang Wen-ying |
| Visual effects | Ardi Lee |
| Costumes | Huang Wen-ying |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
