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?
Production
Painstaking 1902 Beijing recreation, down to the dust
Cinematography
Actual Lumière shorts woven into narrative seamlessly
Costume
Qing court robes versus Western suits, visual collision
Director
Ann Hu
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Ann Hu shot in actual Forbidden City locations rarely permitted for film—this access alone makes it a time capsule.
The Lumière shorts shown are authentic 1895-1897 films; 'L'Arrivée d'un Train' genuinely terrified 1902 audiences, and the film recreates that chaos.
CN
TW
