I've read so many gushing entries about Zhang Yimou's admittedly ravishing Hero at this point that I just have to ask: Was I the only one on LiveJournal disturbed by the fact that the overriding themes of this movie (a mainland movie from a mainland director, even if the stars, action director, and cinematographer are all from Hong Kong) are (1) national unity at all costs and (2) the total submission of the individual to the state?