FSFF2024: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, with support from the BFI Film Audience Network and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office

Ang Lee | 2000 | Mandarin with English subtitles | 12 | 120 mins

After an acclaimed run of films in Hollywood, Ang Lee returned to Asia to tackle his boyhood dream, to make an authentic wuxia film. Lee chose adapt the fourth novel of Wang Dulu’s ‘Crane-Iron series’ the female- led, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Working with writing partner James Schamus, the pair crafted an adventure set in the ‘martial world’ of 19th century China, which centres around the theft of the famed ‘Green Destiny’ sword and a mysterious assassin called Jade Fox. Produced by Hong Kong’s Edko Films and Taiwan’s Zoom Hunt Productions, Lee assembled some of the biggest talents in Asian film: Chow Yun-fat (The Killer, Hard Boiled), Michelle Yeoh (Wing Chun, Everything Everywhere All At Once), Zhang Ziyi (Rush Hour 2) and the late great Cheng Pei-pei (the original wuxia heroine from King Hu’s COME DRINK WITH ME, who sadly passed away in July 2024). Calling on Yuen Wo Ping, then fresh from redefining Hollywood action with THE MATRIX to choreograph the breathtaking fight scenes, the film became winner of four Academy Awards including Best International Feature in 2000. Showing in a restored version, and screening with support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, and as part of Art of Action, a UK-wide film season supported by National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network.