Country: China, Hong Kong
Year: 1995
Duration: 101'
The protagonist is an elderly street artist who is very skilled in performing with masks. After his only son dies, the man is obsessed with the desire of having an heir to his art. Tradition has it that his techniques be handed down only to a male heir. For this reason, the "king of masks" acquires a little boy nicknamed Doggie from a poor family. However, he soon discovers that Doggie is a little girl and tries to get rid of her. Doggie implores the man to let her stay as a servant and the man finally agrees. Doggie gradually learns her master's secrets and accompanies him at the shows. One day she finds a little boy who had been kidnapped by some criminals and brings him to the old artist so that he can finally have an heir.
Biography
film director
Wu Tianming
After graduating secondary school in 1960, Wu Tianming (1939) studied acting at Xl'an Film Studio. In 1976 he took coursing in directing at the Beijing Film Academy and returned to Xi'an to work as an assistant director. He directed his first film in 1979. When he became the manager at Xi'an, he hired numerous young directors, including Chen Kaige and Zhang Ymou. Wu was in Los Angeles when the news of the clashes in Tiananmen Square broke.. He decided to stay in the United States. He returned to his country only in 1994.
FILMOGRAFIA
Shengming de zhanyn (Reverberations of Life, co-regia, 1979), Qinyuan (Kith and Kin, co-regia, 1979), Meiyouhang - biaode heliu (Uncharted River/River without Buoys, 1983), Rensheng (Life, 1984), Lao jing (Old Well, 1987), Bian lian (King of Masks, 1995).
Cast
& Credits
Director: Wu Tianming.
Plot: Chen Wengui.
Screenplay: Wei Minglun.
Director of photography: Mu Dayuan.
Art director: Wu Xujing.
Editor: Hui Yulan.
Music: Zhao Jiping.
Sound: Cheong Man.
Cast and characters: Chu Yùk (il re delle maschere), Chao Yim Yin (Doggie), Zhao Zhi Gang (maestro Liang), Zhang Rui Yang (Tianci).
Producer: Wu Tianming.
Production company: Beijing Youth Film Studio - Shaw Brothers Hong Kong Ltd., Lot 220 Clearwater Bay Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, tel. +852-2335-5111, fax +852-2719-3928.
Foreign sales agent: Shaw Brothers Hong Kong Ltd., Lot 220 Clearwater Bay Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, tel. +852-2335-5111, fax +852-2719-3928.
Plot: Chen Wengui.
Screenplay: Wei Minglun.
Director of photography: Mu Dayuan.
Art director: Wu Xujing.
Editor: Hui Yulan.
Music: Zhao Jiping.
Sound: Cheong Man.
Cast and characters: Chu Yùk (il re delle maschere), Chao Yim Yin (Doggie), Zhao Zhi Gang (maestro Liang), Zhang Rui Yang (Tianci).
Producer: Wu Tianming.
Production company: Beijing Youth Film Studio - Shaw Brothers Hong Kong Ltd., Lot 220 Clearwater Bay Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, tel. +852-2335-5111, fax +852-2719-3928.
Foreign sales agent: Shaw Brothers Hong Kong Ltd., Lot 220 Clearwater Bay Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, tel. +852-2335-5111, fax +852-2719-3928.
