Magic Lantern

Huan
Jared Harris, Xia Yu, Xing Yufei, Liu Peiqi, Lv Liping, Wang Jingming, Fang Qingzhuo, Li Bin
2000
Mainland China, Germany, Taiwan, USA
Completed
English, Mandarin Chinese
116 minutes
Detailed introduction
This film (drama)Also known as西洋镜,is aMainland China, Germany, Taiwan, USAProducerwomen sex,At2000Released in year
。The dialogue language isEnglish, Mandarin Chinese,Current Douban rating7.6(For reference only)。
Liu Jinglun (played by Xia Yu), who enjoys tinkering with new things, is an assistant at the Feng Tai Photographic Studio. He meets a British man named Leimen, who is in Beijing to show films. The moving images on the screen captivate this young man, leading him to secretly follow Leimen to film and show shadow plays against the wishes of his boss and family. The screenings overshadow the popularity of the king of the Peking opera, "Tan Beile," who scoffs at these foreign novelties. During a performance in the palace for Empress Dowager Cixi's birthday, the projector unexpectedly explodes, resulting in Leimen being expelled from China. Heartbroken, Liu Jinglun can only return to his assistant job at the photo studio. However, some film reels sent from England by Leimen, capturing the daily life of Beijing from their earlier street shoots, reignite Liu's passion for shadow plays. This eventually leads to the creation of China's first film, "Ding Jun Shan." The film is based on true historical events, telling the story of the birth of Chinese cinema. It won the Best Adapted Screenplay Award at the 37th Taiwan Golden Horse Film Festival.