According to Chinese symbology, those born in the Year of the Snake are often regarded as intelligent, if somewhat unscrupulous, characters.

In film, however, the snake has been portrayed as dangerous, poisonous and predatory, but also as agile and even seductive.

With another Snake year coming, we recall 10 of our favourite Chinese films to feature these endlessly entrancing creatures, the spirits who have embodied them, and characters who show their attributes in their behaviour.

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