Every week this May, Houston Chronicle Arts Editor Cary Darling hosts a foreign action film that proves kicking ass is a universal language.
Wuxia, a heavily stylized take on martial-arts storytelling set in Ancient China that features elements of the fantastical, is best-known globally through "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," the film directed by Ang Lee that won the best picture Oscar in 2001. But even more transporting is Zhang Yimou's ravishing "Hero" (2002) which, along with his "House of Flying Daggers (2004), ranks at the very top of the genre for its sense of visual sweep and stunning beauty. "Hero" owes much of its success to Australian cinematographer Christopher Doyle, known for his work with Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai on such films as "In the Mood for Love" and "Happy Together." He brings a look to "Hero" that is often breathtaking. Starring three titans of Chinese cinema -- Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai and Maggie Cheung -- "Hero" tells the story of a man named Nameless who plans to assassinate the king in late third century B.C. China. Beyond the eye-popping look, the balletic stunt choreography from Ching Siu-tung (aka Tony Ching), who worked on such classics as "A Chinese Ghost Story" and "Swordsman II," gives "Hero" its major punch. Unsurprisingly, "Hero" was nominated in the foreign-language category at the 2003 Oscars and the recipient of several international honors for its sumptuous visuals, (Cary Darling)
