Shadow Magic

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Shadow Magic

PG

2001

1h 55m

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Peking, 1902. The Feng Tai Photo Shop is in a frenzy of preparation for the arrival of Peking's most important opera star, Lord Tan. Liu Jinglun (Yu Xia), the chief photographer, is oblivious to the chaos as he tinkers with a broken Victrola he has found in a junk pile on his way to work. His boss, Master Ren (Peiqi Liu), chides Liu for his incessant fascination with Western novelties, which he feels have no place in traditional Chinese society.

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Critics Consensus

Charmingly sweet, Shadow Magic captures the sense of wonder of audiences experiencing the world of motion pictures for the first time.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Why not trust the subject matter instead of shaping it all to fit a formula?

Rated: 2/4

May 18, 2001

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Charles Ealy

Dallas Morning News

Makes us appreciate what today's audiences take for granted: the miracle of the cinema.

May 17, 2001

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Loren King

Chicago Tribune

Gives us a glimpse of what it must have been like to be mesmerized and seduced by images that still convey magic and mystery.

May 17, 2001

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It’s depressing to note that after 120-plus years of cinema, we find ourselves having to sit through junk like Halloween Kills and Space Jam: A New Legacy. This lovely film transports us back to a pre-blockbuster time full of genuine promise.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 24, 2024

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Betsy Bozdech

DVDJournal.com

A sweet, charming story based on the real-life story of the advent of moving pictures in China at the turn of the century, it's the perfect escape into another place and time.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 21, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 12, 2005

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Audience Member

I thought it was boring and dull!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I really liked this film for its story and charm. I don't think the love story element was necessary so it isn't perfect but it's a good film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

I noticed this movie at the library because I think I had, years ago, seen a documentary about the same topic that was rather interesting. It takes place in Peking in 1902. Locals live a life grounded in tradition, loyalty, and respect. Along comes Mr. Westerner with a moving picture reel, and the assumptions of the past few millenia are in danger. This film shows us the essence of the history of the beginnings of motion pictures in China. The motivation for one main characters, a young Chinese man smitten with Western ingenuity, to get involved in motion pictures was because he wanted to capture what life was like for his people at that time. He realized that changes were coming that couldn't be reversed, and he didn't want his culture or his people to be forgotten. The story was well-told, and included a sweet side story about the young man's longing for a beautiful young woman. I really liked this movie, but some of the acting felt a bit lacking, especially by the Westerner. Appropriate for adults & kids. In Chinese and English, with subtitles in yellow (subtitles for English scenes too, because of various heavy accents).

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

"Brilliant! A cinematic masterpiece that was interesting and enthralling!"

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Audience Member

this movie started me on subtitles (if i remember correctly) when i look back, it's just an okay movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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Audience Member

This was a touching film that celebrated issues beyond the initial theme of film's beginnings. The skepticism of the oldsters over anything new is present, as is the wish to make a difference in the world.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

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Ann Hu

Director

Jared Harris

Raymond Wallace

Yu Xia

Liu Jinglun (Liu Zhonglun)

Peiqi Liu

Master Ren (Ren JingFeng)

Liping Lu

Madame Ren

Yufei Xing

Ling

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Synopsis

Peking, 1902. The Feng Tai Photo Shop is in a frenzy of preparation for the arrival of Peking's most important opera star, Lord Tan. Liu Jinglun (Yu Xia), the chief photographer, is oblivious to the chaos as he tinkers with a broken Victrola he has found in a junk pile on his way to work. His boss, Master Ren (Peiqi Liu), chides Liu for his incessant fascination with Western novelties, which he feels have no place in traditional Chinese society.

Director: Ann Hu
Producer: Ann Hu
Screenwriter: Ann Hu, Dan Huang, Bob McAndrew, Kate Raisz, Louyi Tang
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Road Movies Vierte Produktionen, Beijing Film Studio, Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen, C & A Productions, Central Motion Pictures Corporation, China Film, Schulberg Productions, Post Production Playground
Rating: PG (Mild Language)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 6, 2001, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $149.3K
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround

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