The Emperor and the Assassin
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Chen Kaige
Gong Li
Zhang Fengyi
Li Xuejian
Sun Zhou
Lu Xiaohe
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
A romantic tale set in feudal China during the 3rd century B.C. which centers around the story of an ambituous king, Ying Zheng, obsessed with unifying all of China and becoming its first emperor. To this end, he embarks upon an unparalleled reign of terror and brutality against all who, he believes, stand between him and his destiny. Hoping to contribute in some way to Ying Zheng's dream of Chinese unification, Lady Zhao, his lover from childhood, devises an intricate fake assassination plot against Ying Zheng which, when "uncovered," will provide him with a legitimate excuse to invade the neighboring kingdom of Yang, his great obstacle to unification. However, before the plan can be fully realized, Ying Zheng discovers a painful secret about his birth. This stunning revelation triggers the cold blooded instinct within him. He has anyone who might have knowledge of his true lineage killed. He then plots an attack on Lady Zhao's beloved homeland.
Director
Chen Kaige
Cast
Gong Li
Zhang Fengyi
Li Xuejian
Sun Zhou
Lu Xiaohe
Wang Zhiwen
Chen Kaige
Gu Yongfei
Zhao Benshan
Ding Haifeng
Pan Changjiang
Xun Zhou
Crew
Wang Chao
Zhao Fei
Hiromitsu Furukawa
Yang Haiquan
Satoru Iseki
Liu Jiacheng
Zhang Jinzhan
Tu Juhua
Tsuguhiko Kadokawa
Ltd Kadokawa Shoten Publishing Co
Chen Kaige
Chen Kaige
Shirley Kao
Philip Lee
Inc Nippon Herald Films
Wang Peigong
Han Sanping
Park Sunmin
Zhang Xijue
Zhou Xinxia
Bai Yu
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Winter December 17, 1999
Released in United States on Video June 13, 2000
Released in United States 1999
Released in United States October 1999
Shown at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (Regional Premieres) October 20 - November 15, 1999.
Began shooting August 8, 1997.
Completed shooting February 13, 1998.
Released in United States Winter December 17, 1999 (NY, LA)
Released in United States on Video June 13, 2000
Released in United States 1999 (Shown at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (Regional Premieres) October 20 - November 15, 1999.)
Released in United States October 1999 (Shown at American Film Institute (AFI) Los Angeles International Film Festival (Official Selection) October 21-29, 1999.)
Winner of the Grand Prix Technique at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
