Friday, August 05 07pm
Crosby Street Hotel
79 Crosby St., New York, NY 10012
This ancient tale tells the story of a Chinese emperor’s rise and fall and his doomed love for a beautiful woman.
At the end of the Qin Dynasty about 2,200 years ago, the nations of Chu and Han wage a war over control of the entire country. Xiang Yu, the “Overload of West Chu”, is conceited and stubborn; while his enemy Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han dynasty, is wise and humble. At the battlefield, Xiang’s troops suffer several major defeats but even with his forces surrounded by the Han army, Xiang is determined to launch a counterattack. His lover Yu Ji and his generals try in vain to dissuade him from such a suicidal effort. When defeat becomes imminent. Yu Ji kills herself after a heartbreaking sword dance so that she will not hinder Xiang’s retreat. The Chu army is crushed in the last battle and although Xiang Yu has an opportunity to escape, he chooses to kill himself rather than live with the shame of having led countless soldiers to their demise.
This screening is part of AAIFF’s Chinese Art Films Series
The 39th Asian American International Film Festival is honored to partner with the Shanghai Film Distribution and Exhibition Association to present premieres of four award-wining Chinese art films in New York City.
For tickets visit: http://aaiff.org/2016