Plot
Beijing, 1902: an enterprising young portrait photographer named Liu Jinglun, keen on new technology, befriends a newly-arrived Englishman who's brought projector, camera, and Lumière-brothers' shorts to open the Shadow Magic theater. Liu's work with Wallace brings him conflict with tradition and his father's authority, complicated by his falling in love with Ling, daughter of Lord Tan, star of Beijing's traditional opera. Liu sees movies as his chance to become wealthy and worthy of Ling. When the Shadow Magic pair are invited to show the films to the Empress Dowager, things look good. But, is disaster in the script? And, can movies preserve tradition even as they bring change?
Written by
Chang-Lun Chen, Ann Hu, Dan Huang
Directed by
Ann Hu
Crew
Production Countries
China, Germany, Taiwan, United States of America
Production Companies
C&A Productions, Beijing Film Studio, China Film Co-Production Corp., Central Motion Picture Corporation, Post Production Playground, Schulberg Productions, Road Movies Vierte Produktionen
Languages
English
Awards
6 wins & 11 nominations