THE BANQUET

Synopsis

This epic, free reworking of Shakespeare's Hamlet is set in a nameless Chinese kingdom in 904AD. Crown Prince Wu Luan (Daniel Wu, the story's Hamlet counterpart) loves Wan (Zhang Ziyi), but leaves home when his father the Emperor claims her as Empress. Three years later, Wu Luan's uncle, Li, murders the Emperor, usurps the throne and marries Wan. The Prince returns to the palace, but his quest for revenge is complicated by Wan's double-dealing ambitions and his love for Qing, a demure royal attendant. When the prince offends Emperor Li, he is sent on a suspicious "diplomatic mission", returning just in time for the climactic banquet that will claim several lives.

Genre

Cast & Credits

• Director:  Feng Xiaogang
• Producer:  John Chong, Wang Zhongiun
• Scriptwriter:  Qui Gangjian, Shen Heyu
• Cinematographer:  Zhang Li
• Editor:  Liu Miaomiao
• Composer:  Tan Dun
• Cast (in alphabetical order):  Daniel Wu, Huang Xiaoming, Ma Jingwu, Zhang Ziyi, Zhou Xun