01
Ran
Why this pick
A monumental historical tragedy with ceremonial compositions, shifting loyalties, and rulers whose drive for control unleashes devastating consequences.
A FILM WORTH A CLOSER LOOKTHE FEATURE PRESENTATION
MOVIE1998 2h 42m CHN
IF THIS ONE STAYED WITH YOU
Movies like
The Emperor and the Assassin
Drama
CINEHUNCH / THE NEXT FRAME
Keep the feeling.
SIMILAR PICKS / A PERSONAL CONNECTION
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Why this pick
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03
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Why this pick
Its measured epic scale and richly staged feudal politics explore leadership as performance, while private vulnerability and military strategy quietly reshape a whole realm.
04
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Why this pick
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05
Red Cliff
Why this pick
Its sweeping Three Kingdoms conflict balances intricate strategy and court maneuvering with a strong sense that individual loyalties can alter the fate of an era.
Finding the atmosphere, tension and little details that made this one stay with you.
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01 / THE STORY
A little about the film.
The film covers much of Qin Shi Huang's career, recalling his early experiences as a hostage and foreshadowing his dominance over China. It depicts him essentially as an idealist seeking to impose a peace or unity on the world despite various betrayals and losses. Its story consists of three main incidents: the attempt by Jing Ke to assassinate Ying Zheng in 227 BCE; the (fictitious) rumour of a Lü Buwei 's having sired the latter before transferring his concubine to become the Queen Dowager Zhao ; and the story of an Lao Ai having sired children by the Queen Dowager herself. The first incident is the climax (narrative) of the film, with earlier scenes foreshadowing it; the other two incidents occur between the fictional genesis and historical manifestation of the first.
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02 / FACES IN THE FRAME
The people who bring it to life.
Gong Li
Lady Zhao
Zhou Xun
Blind Girl
Zhang Fengyi
Jing Ke