Cinematic masterpiece accompanied by stunning live orchestra
The Royal Albert Hall’s latest Films in Concert series presents Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a martial arts epic directed by Ang Lee and originally released in 2000. Hailed as a cinematic masterpiece, the film is celebrated not only for its storytelling and breathtaking action sequences, but also for its profound cultural impact. At the 2001 Academy Awards, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon garnered an impressive ten nominations and won four, including Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Score.
Beyond its critical success, the film marked a significant moment for Chinese cinema’s introduction into the Western mainstream. It introduced global audiences to the extraordinary talents of Michelle Yeoh, who has since become a beloved actress, alongside breakout performances by Zhang Ziyi, Chow Yun-Fat, and Chang Chen. The film is a standout due to its timeless themes with its exploration of forbidden love, societal expectations and familial duties continuing to resonate today.
I was very excited for this particular performance given Tan Dun’s award-winning score for the film. It was performed superbly by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, cello soloist Richard Harwood and pípá soloist Cheng Yu, conducted by Anthony Gabriele. Even though I had seen Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon several times before, experiencing it with a live orchestra made the performance feel completely new. The music added depth throughout the film, making it easy to stay immersed at every stage. It especially elevated the fight scenes, in particular the first combat between Shu Lien and Jen, played by Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi, where the live score brought an extra layer of intensity. The film is also well known for its stunning visuals, from the green bamboo forests to the wide deserts of rural China. The music played a major role in helping the audience feel part of these landscapes, enhancing the atmosphere without overpowering the story.
It was also very moving to see such a diverse audience, which spoke to the lasting cultural impact of the film. Alongside a significant number of Chinese audience members, there were many long-time fans of the movie. The gentleman sitting next to me mentioned he had watched the film more than ten times and that it still brought him to tears on every viewing.
I highly recommend the Films in Concert series at the Royal Albert Hall. It’s a spectacular and unique way to experience films from a new perspective.