Its story, however, though well known to Chinese audiences, was not sufficiently clear for others to make a Palme winner. What’s so special about this oblique take on the historical wuxia epic are the long quiet sequences between the action, where the ability of trained murderer Nie Yinniang (Shu Qi) to melt into the shadows creates a delicious dynamic between the sheer beauty of diaphanous, wafting curtains, billowing gauzes and waving tree branches and our anticipation that our gorgeous assassin will appear among them to stir things up. My favourite film at this year’s Cannes – and arguably the critics’ – was Hou’s The Assassin, which was worthy of its Best Director prize. (Nie Yinniang) Hou Hsiao-Hsien, France/Hong Kong/Taiwan UK festival release 11 October 2014 (London Film Festival) / UK cinema release 22 January 2016
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