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Shadow Magic (2000)

PG | | Drama, History, Romance | 22 November 2001 (Australia)
Shadow Magic Poster
Trailer
1:57 | Trailer
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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Ann Hu

Writers:

Zhang-Lun Chen (as Yixiong Chen), Ann Hu | 6 more credits »

Stars:

Jared Harris, Yu Xia, Yufei Xing | See full cast & crew »
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Cast

Cast overview:
Jared Harris ... Raymond Wallace
Yu Xia ... Liu Jinglun (Liu Zhonglun)
Yufei Xing Yufei Xing ... Ling
Peiqi Liu ... Master Ren (Ren JingFeng)
Liping Lü ... Madame Ren
Jingming Wang Jingming Wang ... Old Liu
Yusheng Li Yusheng Li ... Lord Tan (Tan Xinpei)
Yukui Zhang Yukui Zhang ... Lao Chang
Chuang Cheng Chuang Cheng ... Mi Hu
Zhongwei Zheng Zhongwei Zheng ... Fu Guan
Qi Mu Qi Mu ... Jewelry Tower
Qingzhuo Fang Qingzhuo Fang ... Widow Jiang
Bin Li Bin Li ... Empress Ci Xi
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

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? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

tradition | shadow | magic | technology | photographer | See All (136) »

Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief mild language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Official Sites:

Sony [United States]

Country:

China | Germany | Taiwan | USA

Language:

English | Mandarin

Release Date:

22 November 2001 (Australia) See more »

Also Known As:

Xi yang jing See more »
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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,772, 8 April 2001

Gross USA:

$149,258
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beijing Film Studio, C & A Productions, Central Motion Pictures See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (DVD)

Color:

Black and White | Color
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Quotes

Jewelry Tower: We can't escape what drives us.
See more »

Connections

References Dingjunshan (1905) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Gorgeous & Moving
28 January 2001 | by Script2Screen – See all my reviews

A beautiful film about the coming of early silent cinema to China. SHADOW MAGIC deftly combines a love story with the drama of the cultural clash between China's ancient traditions and modern Western culture in the form of film. An amazing first film by Chinese director Ann Hu. If I correctly understood Ms. Hu's comments at the 2000 Sundance festival, this film was produced as an American film with co-funding by the Chinese government, and shot in China. SHADOW MAGIC reminds me of films like IL POSTINO and CINEMA PARADISO - not necessarily in theme or plot, but it has a similar feel.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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