ACROSS
 7. <filmmaker> CINEMATOGRAPHER = (TAICHANG EMPEROR)*
 9. (.i)C HERO KEE(n.) = CHEROKEE <nation>
10. <show> FACADE = (A DECAF)*
11. PER POW inside RUSE* = SUPERPOWER <strong nation>
13. BEE _T_ = BEET <crop>
14. <what we're hunting> QUARRY <mine>
16. <refuse> DEBRIS = BRIDES*
18. <piteous whimper> MEWL = "MULE"
19. EP I STROP + HE = EPISTROPHE <rhetorical repetition>
21. <less original> STALER = TALE inside SR
22. <government minister> POLITICO = I TIC inside POLO
24. (.n)G OF ASTERS' TRI-PES(t.) = GO-FASTER STRIPES <feature not actually doing anything>

DOWN
 1. {way in which faqir could be fair} -Q <=< WITHOUT QUESTION <undoubtedly>
 2. <vehicle for the late> HEARSE = HE + ARSE
 3. BAN K = BANK <accumulation of wealth>
 4. P_ RE + FERMENT = PREFERMENT <promotion>
 5. <key> SPACE BAR = (PEA CRABS)*
 6. <one panicking> HEADLESS CHICKEN >=> [-c]RAVEN
 8. NET W inside _OO_ = ONE-TWO <boxing combo>
12. <be responsible for> PERPETRATE = (PER-PET RATE)
15. <authorisation> ALL CLEAR = A LLC + REAL*
17. S_ IMPER_ = SIMPER <ingratiating smile>
20. DOUBT* outside I = OUTBID <to bet more>
23. <unwilling> LOTH = H after LOT