House of Flying Daggers was the most beautiful film I have ever seen. That director also made the blatantly anti-communist, pro-individual movie of all time "To Live". He also had another one where the local commie slapped a woman's husband . She kept going to the top demanding an apology and finally got one-very inspiring movie. I was surprised the Chicomms let either film make it to the big screen, but they did. I'll look up the name of the movie later.
I though tthe same director did Hero, which is viewed in the west as conforming to communist rule (i.e. the guy scarificed himself in order to protect the empire).
(But the movie Hero speaks to the Chinese in greater volumes than Flying Dagger, it's more central to the historical culture of China (i.e. collective is greater than the individual)).