Bangkok--Dec 21--TQPR (Thailand)
1 January 2005, Saturday
10pm
Only at AXN (UBC 38)
Before two legendary warriors face off with each other in a duel to the death, they must put aside their differences and unite to fight common enemies.
Sent to China when young to become an ambassador of friendship to the powerful Chinese nation, Japanese Lai Xi never fully accepted China as his homeland. Under service to the Tang Emperor, the master swordsman’s one wish is to return to his native land of Japan to see his aging mother. But the Emperor values Lai Xi’s swordsmanship too much to accede to his request.
When the Emperor finally grants Lai Xi his wish, it is on one condition — Lai Xi must capture and execute Lieutenant Li, a renegade soldier wanted for leading a violent mutiny.
Lai Xi sets out along the Silk Road to find the legendary Li, but instead of meeting a hardened criminal that Li was portrayed to be, Lai Xi instead finds a morally upright man who mutinied when ordered to massacre a group of prisoners, all women and children.
Coming across a caravan carrying a Buddhist monk and a sacred and powerful pagoda bound for the emperor, the two men agree to delay their final battle until the caravan is brought to safety. When the pagoda attracts the attention of the region’s ruthless overlord, Master An, they unite to protect the caravan. Side by side, they face the cruelty of the desert and the brutality of the overlord’s men before they can finally face one another.
An epic tale of comradeship and honour, Warriors of Heaven and Earth is directed by renowned Chinese writer and director He Ping (Swordsman in Double Flag Town), and brings together a remarkable cast — China’s most popular actors, Jian Wen (Red Sorghum) and Zhao Wei (So Close), and Japan’s top-ranked star, Kiichi Nakai.
Casts & Characters
Lieutenant Li (Jiang Wen)
A highly decorated, legendary warrior who commands absolute respect from his men, Lt. Li fell out of favour with the Tang Emperor when he refused to obey orders to massacre a group of prisoners, all women and children. Along with his men, Li mutinied and killed a loyal Tang officer in the ensuing fight, and is now branded a criminal.
Jiang Wen is widely regarded as the most popular male actor in Mainland China, perhaps best known for his starring role opposite Gong Li in Zhang Yimou's Red Sorghum. A highly-regarded director, his directorial effort, Devils on the Doorstep, took the Grand Prix at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. Jiang also wrote and directed In the Heat of the Sun, which went on to clinch 6 Golden Horse awards in Taiwan. It was cited by Richard Corliss in Time as the best film of 1995.
Lai Xi (Kiichi Nakai)
A master swordsman in service to the Tang Emperor, Lai Xi’s deepest desire is to be freed from his service and to return to his homeland of Japan to see his aging mother. When the emperor desperately wants to punish renegade army officer Lt. Li, he offers Lai Xi his release in exchange for the life of Lt. Li. Will he finally fulfil his wish of returning to his beloved homeland?
Kiichi Nakai is one of Japan's top stars, and has collaborated with such famous Japanese directors as Kon Ichikawa (47 Ronin, The Burmese Harp) and Masahiro Shinoda (Owl’s Castle). Nakai is well known for his versatility, and has starred in films ranging from period dramas to modern day comedies.
Wen Zhu (Zhao Wei)
The daughter of a high ranking general in the Tang army, Wen Zhu grew up moving from outpost to outpost. When the wars intensify, Wen Zhu’s father entrusts Lai Xi with her safety. Left with no choice, Lai Xi brings Wen Zhu along on his quest to track down and kill Lt. Li.
Zhao Wei is one of the fastest rising stars in mainland China, and is most famous for her portrayal of the mischievous and lively Little Swallow in the 1998 regional smash hit Chinese TV series Princess Pearl, for which she won China’s top TV award — the Golden Eagle — for Best Actress, and established herself as one of the top actresses in China. With her success reaching out across the rest of Asia, she has also starred in Stephen Chow’s hit comedy blockbuster, Shaolin Soccer.
Master An (Wang Xue Qi)
A much-feared warlord, Master An is no longer satisfied with ruling his portion of the Silk Road, and sees his chance to gain more control when the Turks appeal for his help to capture a caravan travelling through the Silk Road. But when he discovers the power of the contents of the caravan, he develops his own evil intentions.
Wang Xueqi is one of the most well-known and beloved character actors in China. He has appeared in Chen Kaige’s breakthrough film, Yellow Earth, and has starred in Jiang Wen’s In the Heat of the Sun, and Sun Valley.
About the Filmmakers
He Ping — Writer & Director
A pioneer of the “Chinese Western”, his award-winning films include the critically acclaimed Swordsman in Double Flag Town and Sun Valley. He has also garnered worldwide acclaim for his period domestic drama, Red Firecracker, Green Firecracker. He Ping has won awards and special mentions from The Berlin Film Festival and the San Sebastien International Film Festival.
Zhao Fei — Cinematographer
Famed for his truly spectacular work on Zhang Yimou’s Raise the Red Lantern and Tian Zhuangzhuang’s The Horse Thief, Zhao Fei is one of the most highly acclaimed cinematographers in the Chinese film industry. He has garnered awards for best cinematography from both the New York Film Critics Circle and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
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