Shadow Magic

Overview

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?

Details

Status

Released

Release date

September 8, 2000

Original language

Chinese

Spoken languages

mandarin, english

Countries

China, Germany, Taiwan, United States of America

Production

Beijing Film Studio,Central Motion Picture Corporation,Road Movies Vierte Produktionen,Schulberg Productions,China Film Co-Production,C&A Productions,Post Production Playground,C&A Productions, Beijing Film Studio, China Film Co-Production, Central Motion Picture Corporation, Post Production Playground, Schulberg Productions, Road Movies Vierte Produktionen

Budget

Not recorded

Revenue

Not recorded

IMDb

tt0238588