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Shadow Magic

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?

Top Cast

  • Jared Harris

    Jared Harris

    Raymond

  • Xia Yu

    Xia Yu

    Liu Jing Lun

  • Liu Peiqi

    Liu Peiqi

    Master Ren

  • Lü Liping

    Lü Liping

    Madame Ren

  • Yufei Xing

    Yufei Xing

    Tan Xiaoling

  • Jingming Wang

    Jingming Wang

    Lao Liu

  • Li Yusheng

    Li Yusheng

    Lord Tan

  • Yukui Zhang

    Yukui Zhang

    Lao Chang

  • Chen Chuang

    Chen Chuang

    Mi Hu

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?

Rating

5.9 / 10
10 Reviews
1 Popular

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