

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?
Directed by Ann Hu
Switch country in the top-right to check availability elsewhere.
Not currently available in China.
Streaming rights for Shadow Magic change all the time. Save it to your watchlist and we'll email you the moment it drops on any service in π¨π³ China.
Or switch country at the top to check availability elsewhere - Shadow Magic may be streaming in another market.
Audience picks based on what people who watched this also enjoyed.
2011

2021

2011

2023

2011

1983

2025

2022

2019

2023

1990

2024

2021