Archive - 12th Five Flavours Film Festival

Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield

Xiu chun dao II: xiu luo zhan chang
China 2017, 120’
subtitles: Polish and English
director: Lu Yang
screenplay: Lu Yang, Chen Shu, Yu Yang
cinematography: Han Qiming
editing: Tu Yiran, Zhu Liyun
music: Kawai Kenji
cast: Chang Chen, Yang Mi, Zhang Yi
producer: Ning Hao, Wang Yibing
production: Hua Man Shan (Shanghai) Film, Dirty Monkey, J.Q. Pictures, Free Whale Pictures
source of print: Movie View International
language: Mandarin
colouration: colour

Awards and festivals

Golden Horse Awards 2017 - Best Action Choreography; Asian Film Awards 2018 – Best Action Film, Best Sound (Nominee);

Film description

Ming dynasty is in decline, the government not only has to deal with aggressors from the north border but more importantly with the inner disintegration of the court, corruption and fight for power. Palace guard, Shen Lian, is once again caught up in a conspiracy when one of his fellow officers has to die, because of spreading dangerous rumors. Shen Lian is sent to find a mysterious rebeliant Bei Zhai, who is supposed to pose threat to the court. Main character soon finds out that the plot to undermine the authority of the emperor is not as simple as it may first appear...

Lu Yang carefully reconstructs the details of late XVIth century Chinese reality, each location, costume and prop helps to imagine everyday life of officials and counselors at the Ming emperor's court. Simultaneously "Brotherhood of Blades" narrative style is very contemporary, Shen Lian's multidimensional psychological portrait makes him highly relatable character, not so different from policemen and detectives that roamed the streets of megacities in so many classic Asian action films. Director successfully combines historical film with the suspense of chase scenes and astonishing martial arts scenes, maintaining a balance between visual attractions and nuanced plot.

Maja Korbecka

Lu Yang

Born in 1979 in Beijing, he first got a degree in engineering, then worked for one year at Phoenix Television, which made him realize he wants to pursue career in film. In 2008 he graduated from film directing department at Beijing Film Academy, studying under Tian Zhuangzhuang. His first feature film, “My Spectacular Theatre” (2010) won the Audience Award at the Busan International Film Festival. In 2014 he has taken up Brotherhood of Blades series project, which proved a big successes, gaining critical acclaim as well as popularity among the audience.

Selected filmography:

2012 Mang ren dian ying yuan / My Spectacular Theatre

2012 Fang che qi yu / A Motor Home Adventure

2014 Xiu chun dao / Brotherhood of Blades

2017 Bractwo ostrzy: piekielna bitwa / Xiu chun dao II: xiu luo zhan chang / Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield

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