Shadow (Zhang Yimou)

The film is set in a fictional historical period. Years ago, the Kingdom of Pei lost the strategic Jing Prefecture to the Kingdom of Yan after their general Ziyu lost in a duel to the Yan general Yang Cang. Pei Liang, the King of Pei, is enraged after discovering that Ziyu has challenged Yang Cang to a duel without his authorisation. He demands Ziyu and his wife Xiaoai to perform for him with the guzheng, but Ziyu refuses instead cuts his hair before being allowed to leave. Pei Liang then arranges for his sister Qingping to marry Yang Cang's son Yang Ping to make peace between the two kingdoms.

It is revealed that Ziyu is actually a decoy named Jingzhou; the real Ziyu was severely wounded during the duel and is still recovering in a hidden location. Jingzhou was taken and secretly trained as a "shadow" by Ziyu's uncle after they noticed his uncanny resemblance to Ziyu. Only Ziyu and Xiaoai are aware of this arrangement. Jingzhou serves as Ziyu's decoy after the duel. Ziyu plots to retake Jing Prefecture and needs Jingzhou to help him accomplish this mission. Ziyu promises to let Jingzhou return home after retaking Jing Prefecture.

Pei Liang decides to punish "Ziyu" and demote him to commoner status despite his subjects' objections. Before "Ziyu" leaves, the king demands to see "Ziyu"'s wounds and apply an ointment. When "Ziyu" reveals the wound, the king remarks that the wound looks fresh. "Ziyu" replies that the original wound has healed and this was a fresh cut to remind himself of his loss. When it is reported that Yang Ping has made a counteroffer to take Qingping only as his concubine rather than his wife, the Pei royal court sees it as a snub. However, Pei Liang still accepts it, much to his sister's disgust. Tian Zhan, a Pei general, openly calls the king's decision "spineless" and resigns.