SYNOPSIS

Scripted by Hou and Chu Tien-wen, this is about a female assassin called Nie Yin Niang, who can transform herself to other creatures.. In the Tang dynasty (618-907 A.D.) short story that inspired the film, a 10-year-old girl is kidnapped by a Buddhist nun and arduously trained until adulthood to kill without compassion or remorse for the greater good of society. The assassin's loyalty to her own family, clients and society comes secondary to her own desires.

PREVIEW NOTES

• Screen Daily reports that Hou Hsiao-hsien project has raised $450,000 in government subsidies for the production. The film will be produced by Hou's own production company, Sinomovie, and CMC Entertainment Group. - 2006-01-02