Plots(1)
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? (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
(more)Cast
Jared Harris
UK
Best movies:
Chernobyl (2019) (series)
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Yu Xia
China
Best movies:
Getting Home (2007)
The Painted Veil (2006)
Waiting Alone (2004)
Pui-Kei Lau
China
Best movies:
The Founding of a Party (2011)
Coming Home (2014)
Together (2002)
Bin Li
Best movies:
The Road Home (1999)
Full Circle (2012)
The Blue Kite (1993)
Liping Lü
China
Best movies:
Under the Hawthorn Tree (2010)
The Blue Kite (1993)
Qingzhuo Fang
China
Best movies:
Keep Cool (1997)
The Postmodern Life of My Aunt (2006)
The Crossing (Part 2) (2015)