Tsui Hark firmly established himself as a key Hong Kong filmmaker with The Butterfly Murders, his directorial debut that challenges martial arts conventions with its unique aesthetics. Celebrated as a ‘futuristic’ take on the genre, it seamlessly blends together elements of swordplay, suspense, and detective and science fiction, making it a pioneering work of the Hong Kong New Wave during the late 1970s. Tsui's earlier acclaimed martial arts TV series, The Gold Dagger Romance, had already showcased his creativity, but he took his ideas even further in the highly stylised The Butterfly Murders, a captivating tale that unravels one mystery after another. Narrated by a scholar-writer chronicling events and tales of the martial arts world, the film centres around his investigation into murders executed by mysterious killer butterflies. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a complex conspiracy driven by the human greed for power. Much of the film unfolds in underground spaces, boasting innovative set designs unprecedented in Hong Kong cinema. Equally ground-breaking is the costume design, featuring Western-style cloaks and heavy armour. These bold choices epitomise Tsui Hark's courageous innovations within the wuxia genre, solidifying his status as a visionary auteur.

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