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?
Cast
Jared Harris
Raymond
Xia Yu
Liu Jing Lun
Liu Peiqi
Master Ren
Lü Liping
Madame Ren
Yufei Xing
Tan Xiaoling
Jingming Wang
Lao Liu
Li Yusheng
Lord Tan
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
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