Zhang Yimou, the internationally acclaimed director presented his second martial art blockbuster in 2004, high-kicking its way to a record Chinese box office since its release. Box office taking of the new film "House of Flying Daggers" exceeds 150 million RMB yuan. Though widely panned by critics and audiences for its 'poor plot and strange love triangle', the film proves once again that the Zhang Yimou brand has become a sure thing at the box office.

Zhang Yimou and Andy Lau, the leading actor of House of Flying Daggers

Chinese director Zhang Yimou has been crowned Best Director at the U.S. Film Critics Awards for his two martial-arts epics, Hero and House of Flying Daggers. The resourceful director is a phenomenal force in the Chinese film industry. His black comedies  "Cell Phone," "Big Shot's Funeral," "A Sigh," "Be There or Be Square" and "Part A Part B" -- all so-called "hesui pian" (New Year films) -- have been big successes, both with critics and at the box office. Feng's latest hit A World without Thieves easily pocketed over 100 million yuan at box office and was poised to become last year's box-office runner-up right after House of Flying Daggers.

Director Feng Xiaogang