Darkness in the Spotlight: Binaries and Brutality in Zhang Yimou's 'Shadow'

While Zhang Yimou's latest wuxia offering bears the hallmark action and melodrama elements of his earlier work, it stands apart in terms of visuals, featuring a subdued, largely monochromatic palette and unfurling, brushstroke-like compositions. With this calculated stylistic move, the Chinese director allows the violence, corruption and conflict at the core of his historical tale to starkly taint each frame, writes Debbie Zhou.

Additional keywords:
martial arts, Asian cinema, China, genre, war, ancient China, colour theory, doppelganger, social hierarchy, revolution.