Shadow

In a kingdom, a wounded commander is replaced by a man who resembles him and has been trained in secret for years. Nobody knows the difference. The film is shot almost entirely in black, white and grey; costumes, sets and rain stay inside that palette and the only colour is blood. The narrative ties that visual decision straight to its subject: who is real and who is the shadow. Zhang Yimou directed. Deng Chao plays both parts. The fight design uses a weapon in the shape of an umbrella. Who it's for: those who like historical action built visually. Who it's not for: viewers wanting a clear plot; the court intrigue is layered and the names are hard to follow.