Shadow (2018 film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2018 |
Key people | Zhang Yimou (director) |
| Products | Wuxia motion picture |
Shadow () is a 2018 Chinese wuxia motion picture helmed by director Zhang Yimou. It was featured at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, as well as the 2018 BFI London Film Festival.
The film saw its release across Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States in 2019.
Plot
Several years prior, the kingdom of Pei lost control of the vital city Jingzhou to Yang following Commander Ziyu's defeat by the invincible Yang Cang. The King of Pei becomes furious when Ziyu defies orders by issuing a challenge to Yang Cang for a rematch. In response, the King demands a guzheng performance from Ziyu and his wife Xiao Ai; however, Ziyu refuses and symbolically severs his hair before departing.
To preserve peace, the King arranges for his sister Qingping to wed Yang Cang's son, Yang Ping.
It is later disclosed that "Ziyu" is in fact Jingzhou, a man trained to impersonate Ziyu after the true Ziyu was severely injured and concealed. Only Xiao Ai and Ziyu are aware of this secret. Jingzhou assumes the role of double with the objective of reclaiming Jingzhou city, under the promise that he will return home afterward.
Despite military objections, the King punishes "Ziyu" by stripping him of his rank and reducing him to commoner status. When an envoy informs that Yang Ping will only accept Qingping as a concubine rather than a wife, the King consents. This decision angers Qingping and leads General Tian to resign in protest.
Jingzhou practices with a metal umbrella weapon but initially struggles against Ziyu’s mimicry of Yang Cang’s halberd fighting style. Xiao Ai advises Jingzhou to incorporate feminine movements emphasizing yin qualities to counterbalance Yang Cang’s yang spear technique, demonstrating effective defensive maneuvers.
Jingzhou assigns Tian to lead and train a group of one hundred convicts recruited by Ziyu. Ziyu reveals his strategy: Jingzhou will act as his shadow to distract Yang Cang during three rounds of combat; afterwards, Ziyu plans to seize the throne while Tian assumes command.
On the eve of their duel, Jingzhou confesses his love for Xiao Ai, who spends the night with him under secret surveillance arranged by Ziyu.
During the duel on a floating stage near Jingzhou City Pass, Tian and his convict forces infiltrate the city while Yang Cang remains distracted. Jingzhou wins the opening round but loses the subsequent two. Rejecting a draw, he challenges Yang Cang to a fatal showdown.
Tian and the convicts repel attacks from Yang Ping’s troops using umbrella weapons but endure significant casualties. Qingping fatally wounds Yang Ping with his own dagger after he questions her combat abilities. Tian topples the Yang banner, provoking Yang Cang’s fury; he nearly kills Jingzhou before being slain by an umbrella blade wielded by Jingzhou.
Upon returning home, Jingzhou discovers his mother has been murdered and narrowly escapes an assassination attempt thanks to intervention by a royal envoy. Meanwhile, assassins also target Ziyu.
At a royal banquet, the King offers to legitimize Jingzhou and Xiao Ai’s relationship and declares that only one loyal Commander Ziyu will remain henceforth. A masked assassin enters carrying an empty box and stabs the King before revealing himself as Ziyu. In a frenzy, Ziyu commands Jingzhou to kill the King for ordering his mother’s murder. During their struggle, Jingzhou fatally wounds Ziyu and kills the King while framing Ziyu as the assassin.
Jingzhou announces both the King's assassination and his role in killing the alleged assassin; Tian remains silent throughout. The story concludes with Xiao Ai torn between exposing Jingzhou or accepting this new reality.
Cast
- Deng Chao portrays Commander Ziyu along with his shadow, Jingzhou
- Sun Li appears as Xiao Ai, Ziyu's spouse
- Zheng Kai takes on the role of King Peiliang
- Wang Qianyuan plays Tian Zhan
- Hu Jun features as Yang Cang
- Wang Jingchun acts as Lu Yan
- Guan Xiaotong embodies Princess Qingping
- Leo Wu represents Yang Ping
Production
Filming commenced on 18 March 2017.
Film color
The visual design, including costumes, props, and settings, was primarily executed in black and white to replicate the style of traditional Chinese ink wash painting. A majority of the scenes were captured during actual rainfall to achieve authentic color tones without relying on digital post-processing. This artistic choice reflects Zhang Yimou’s longstanding interest in exploring the ink painting aesthetic prior to creating Shadow.
Home media
In North America, Well Go USA distributed the film on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD formats starting 13 August 2019, with a subsequent release in the United Kingdom in September 2019.
Reception
Shadow garnered widespread praise for its cinematography and production design. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating based on multiple reviews, with an average score reflecting strong critical favor. The critical consensus highlights: "Visually stunning and creatively choreographed, Shadow stands as an exhilarating wuxia masterpiece showcasing director Zhang Yimou at his finest." On Metacritic, it achieved a score of 81 out of 100 from 25 critics, signifying "universal acclaim."
Awards and nominations
| Award | Category | Recipients | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55th Golden Horse Awards | Best Feature Film | Shadow | Template:Nom |
| Best Director | Zhang Yimou | Template:Won | |
| Best Leading Actor | Deng Chao | Template:Nom | |
| Best Leading Actress | Sun Li | Template:Nom | |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Li Wei and Zhang Yimou | Template:Nom | |
| Best Cinematography | Zhao Xiaoding | Template:Nom | |
| Best Visual Effects | Samson Wong | Template:Won | |
| Best Art Direction | Ma Kwong-wing | Template:Won | |
| Best Makeup & Costume Design | Chen Minzheng | Template:Won | |
| Best Action Choreography | Dee Dee | Template:Nom | |
| Best Original Film Score | Loudboy | Template:Nom | |
| Best Sound Effects | Yang Jiang and Zhao Nan | Template:Nom | |
| 45th Saturn Awards | Best International Film | Shadow | Template:Nominated |
| Best Director | Zhang Yimou | Template:Nominated | |
| Best Production Design | Horace Ma Gwong-Wing | Template:Nominated | |
| Best Costume Design | Chen Minzheng | Template:Nominated | |
| 32nd Golden Rooster Awards | Best Art Direction | Horace Ma | Template:Nom |
| Best Cinematography | Zhao Xiaoding | Template:Nom | |
| 39th Hong Kong Film Awards | Best Asian Chinese Language Film | Shadow | Template:Nom |