Synopsis:

DUELIST is set in Korea during the late Chosun Dynasty. The economy is in a state of chaos as a large amount of counterfeit money has flooded the country. Detective Namsoon is assigned to find the source of the fake money. She goes undercover and finds her investigation complicated by the number of dead bodies stacking up. She finds herself encountering a handsome swordsman called Sad Eyes on numerous occasions during her investigation and engages in a number of duels with him.

However, the pair, who operate on separate sides of the law, find themselves falling in love. Director Myung-Se Lee (NOWHERE TO HIDE) has created a visually sumptuous film that is markedly different from most martial arts films. The film takes inspiration from artists such as Matisse and the fight choreography has hints of ballroom dancing and ballet, making for a striking and original movie.