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With a
phenomenal cast of 6, filmmaker Quentin
Tarantino and writer-director Zhang
Yimou portrays a time in China where
Sword, Heart and Love represent the 3
highest levels of martial arts in this
extraordinary film called Hero.
As with so many films of ethnic descent
trivializing the culture and life of
that particular group, Hero gets a
chance to tell a story rich in the
history of “Our Land” nearly 2000 years
ago. “If you look at the history of
Chinese martial arts literature,” says
Zhang, “the plot always hinges on
revenge… For years, this has been the
only theme in Chinese martial arts films
whether it’s Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan. I
wanted to take the genre in a new
direction. In my story, the goal is to
downplay violence. The characters are
motivated by their desire to end the
war. For real martial arts heroes, the
heart is far more important than the
sword.”
Empty of saturation of fists of fury,
Hero is bound for glory with its beauty
and wonder in colorful scenery,
brilliant film effects and spectacular
imagery, yet still seemingly simple and
plain. Its story telling through the
main character Nameless, played by Jet
Li, described as orphaned, has spent his
life developing a unique skill in the
art of sword fighting. “Hero is my dream
movie. When I read the script, I cried
twice. In my twenty-two year career of
making movies, this is the first script
that made me weep. It is an incredible
story, and an important question about
what kind of person we can call a hero.”
– Jet Li.
Nameless gains friendship and allies in
3 assassins, Broken Sword (Tony LEUNG
Chiu Wai) , who surprises the King with
his remarkable vision, Snow (Maggie
CHEUNG Man Yuk) and Sky (Donnie Yen) who
want the Qin King (CHEN Daoming) dead.
Longtime servant Moon (ZHANG Ziyi)
supports her master Broken Sword with
undying devotion and loyalty. “Most
projects offered to me contain many
fight scenes,” she says, “But I really
hoped to experience playing with my
heart and not my fists. My role is rich,
multi-layered and has a distinct
personality.”
Three stories tell tales of love,
mind-fighting, intrigue and heroism. But
among the major players in the film,
whom are all motivated by their own
reasons for their fight, one can only
determine who the hero is really? One or
All?
Hero defines a true Asian film. Filled
with History and Art; Love and Culture;
Discipline and strength. This is a must
see film.
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