BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The British Film Institute (BFI) have just announced international film magazine Sight and Sound's best films of 2015, and Hou Hsiao Hsien's "The Assassin" has come in at the top of the list.
The unconventional martial-arts film topped the poll that was voted for by 168 UK and international film critics.
Hou Hsiao-hsien picked up the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year for the film, and critical praise for it has as lavish as the film's gorgeous cinematography.
Set during the Tang Dynasty (AD618–907), it is perhaps the closest anyone has yet come to capturing something of the historical atmosphere of that ancient time on film.
Todd Haynes' film "Carol" came in at number two with two female leads played by Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett;
George Miller's "Mad Max: Fury Road" in at the third spot, where Charlize Theron's character took the spotlight away from the titular Max.