Ang Lee

Taiwanese-born director Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility, The Ice Storm) isn't the first person you'd expect to direct a stunning, genre-honouring yet rule-breaking martial arts film, but Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is poised to take its place amongst the truly remarkable accomplishments in film. It follows a mercenary (Chow Yun Fat) who seeks to leave a warrior's life, but first must avenge his master, murdered by a notorious criminal; he gets help from a long-time love (Michelle Yeoh). The emotional resonance of the film is pure Lee, but the martial arts literally take flight in the hands of famed choreographer Yuen Wo-Ping (The Matrix). The jaw-dropping fight scene in a bamboo forest is just one highlight that requires repeat viewing.