Wang Bianlian is an aging street performer known as the King of Mask for his mastery of Sichuan Change Art in a true story. His wife left him with and infant son over 30 years ago. The son ...
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Title: The King of Masks (1996)
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21 wins & 5 nominations.
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Cast
| Credited cast: | |||
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Li Chen | ... | Ms Wen |
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Zhaoji Jia | ... | Slave trader |
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Zhigang Zhang | ... | Sulan, Luo |
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Zhigang Zhao | ... | Liang Sao Lang |
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Renying Zhou | ... | Gou Wa ("Doggie") |
| Xu Zhu | ... | Bianlian Wang | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Wang Bianlian is an aging street performer known as the King of Mask for his mastery of Sichuan Change Art in a true story. His wife left him with and infant son over 30 years ago. The son died from illness at age 10. This left Wang a melancholy loner aching for a male descendent to learn his rare and dying art. A famous master performer of the Sichuan Opera offers to bring him into his act, thus giving Wang fame and possible fortune, but Wang opts for staying the simple street performer. Then, one night after a performance he is sold a young boy by a slave trader posing as the boy's parent. "Grandpa" finds new joy in life as he plans to teach "Doggie" (an affectionate term often used for young children in China) his art. All is well until Doggie is found out to really be a girl. Written by Steve Uptegraft <bluzman@voyager.net>
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DramaCertificate:
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Did You Know?
Goofs
When Wang (The Mask King) is performing for the soldiers who insist on having his secret, his missing front tooth is there in one scene, then gone in the next. See more »Alternate Versions
Original Chinese version runs 101 minutes; international Version runs 91 minutes. See more »Connections
Featured in At the Movies: Wild Wild West/Buena Vista Social Club/My Son the Fanatic/South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut/The King of Masks (1999) See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Details
Language:
MandarinRelease Date:
16 August 1996 (Hong Kong) See more »Also Known As:
King of Masks See more »Filming Locations:
Shanghai, ChinaEdit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$1,113,103Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$1,113,103Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
This movie reminded me of Mulan- only because I saw Mulan first. It was a great film, and as an Asian female and a first-generation American, I found myself relating to "Doggie" (the little girl; by translation). I usually don't cry during movies (and I don't think being 8 and watching The Land Before Time counts), but I do admit my eyes did water up. I was impressed at the production quality of this film and I appreciated the accuracy of its set period. It's imagery was hauntingly beautiful and throughout the film I was questioning this film's budget (The Red Violin as well)- I was contemplating how they were able to afford props and costumes and still be able to release, promote and distribute the film at the same time. The King Of Masks is one of those wonderful pieces of International Cinema that almost everyone can agree on.