A sumptuous silk-and-swashbuckle Chinese period drama which is being shown out of competition, has won hearts at the 63rd Venice Film Festival.

The Banquet stars Ziyi Zhang as Empress Wan, head of ancient dynasty who chooses either charm or carnage to get her way. "I play a sort of tormented 'Lady Hamlet', continuously changing. My empress is driven by a thirst for power, and
this costs her dearly," said Zhang, first propelled to stardom by Ang Lee's Oscar-winning "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

"The principal themes of the film are universal, desire and revenge," said Director Feng Xiaogang, known for Chinese blockbusters like the 2004 movie "A World Without Thieves."

Above are pictures of Chinese actress Zhou Xun and Zhang Ziyi and Daniel Wu posing at "The Banquet" screening
at the 63rd Venice Film Festival in Venice of Italy. "The Banquet" was the first Chinese film shown at the 63rd Venice Film Festival.

Review: by Derek Elley, Variety
Review: by Dan Fainaru, Screen Daily

Latest "The Banquet" Posters (Hi-Res)