Canada / Sep 08, 2000
1h 56min
Overall average
5.0/10
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?
Main cast
Full cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Yukui Zhang | Lao Chang |
| Chen Chuang | Mi Hu |
| Qi Mu | Jewelry Tower |
| Fang Qingzhuo | Widow Jiang |
| Li Bin | Empress Ci Xi |
| Zhang Kang | Hai Kuan |
| Song Wen-Hua | San Boro |
| Chen Xueyin | Chief Eunich |
| Wang Lida | Head Employee |
| Zhang Xun | Showcase Lee |
| Yang Fu Sen | String Master |
| Ma Qi | Fat Comedian |
| Tong Lian Sheng | Lean Comedian |
| Tang Liang | Manchurian Lady |
| Jang Jie | Manchurian Man |
Genres
DramaHistory
Technical details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Original title | 西洋镜 |
| Original language | 普通话 (ZH) |
| Spoken languages | 普通话, English |
| Production countries | China, Germany, Taiwan, United States of America |
| Status | Released |
| Production companies | C&A Productions, Beijing Film Studio, China Film Co-Production, Central Motion Picture Corporation, Post Production Playground, Schulberg Productions, Road Movies Vierte Produktionen |
| Official site | sonypictures.com |
| Release date | 8 settembre 2000 |
| Writer | Ann Hu, Yixiong Chen, Dan Huang, Huaizhuo Liu, Bob McAndrew, Kate Raisz, Louyi Tang, Shiqiang Zuo |
| Cinematography | Nancy Schreiber |
| Assistant directors | Ann Hu |
| Camera operators | Nancy Schreiber |
| Additional photography | Nancy Schreiber |
| Music | Lida Zhang |
Show more
| Sound | Lida Zhang |
Release dates
Theatrical release
United States / Apr 06, 2001 / PG
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