The Assassin

One of the most influential auteurs of modern Asian cinema, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, looks at history through the eyes of a silent assassin, intermixing wuxia tradition with historical epic. A gorgeous film that won the directing award at Cannes.

Synopsis

In 9th century China, a nun kidnaps a 10-year-old girl in order to train her in martial arts and turn her into a cold-blooded assassin. Her ultimate goal is to eradicate corruption. When the girl fails in one of her missions, she will be sent back home in order to kill the man she was destined to marry. After 13 years in exile, she must face her family, her memories and her repressed feelings. She will have to choose between the man she loves and the holy purpose she now serves.