A thrilling and multifaceted Taiwanese feature (1994) by theater director Stan Lai about both vaultingthe Chinese martial art of leaping enormous distancesand contemporary Taipei. The mysterious coexistence of the past in the present and Lai’s visually impressive style (combined with the work of Chris Doyle, the key cinematographer of the Taiwanese and Hong Kong new wave) make this one of the better Taiwanese features I’ve seen; with Ying Zhaode, Chen Wenming, Nai Weixun, and Li Tongcun. (JR)