House of Flying Daggers (2004)

Following hot on the heels of Hero, director Yimou Zhang brings another beautifully filmed, artistic and impressive Chinese film to the big screen. Like its predecessor, it's a "wuxia" film, dealing with classic swordplay and chivalry themes.

Alongside these traditional aspects there's the very modern 21st century CGI, which allows the daggers of the title to do their flying, as well as enhancing the balletic style of much of the action.

Set in China in AD 859, the film stars Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro as Leo and Jin, police officers charged with finding a secret society, the Flying Daggers, who are sworn to overthrow the government. They learn that, incredibly, one of the most dangerous agents is Mei, a beautiful dancing girl. But as they close in on her, the two men's love for her, and the dangers they face, lead to danger and betrayal in what is both a thriller and a tragic tale of love