Movie Night --King of Masks (1996)

On Thursday, Dec. 4th, the NW China Council is showing the 7th film of its “Chinese Movie Night” presentations. Once a month, we schedule dinner and a film, followed by a guided discussion of the social, cultural and historical aspects each film presents.

This charming, heartwarming film is about a street performer named Wang who practices the change-mask opera art of bian lian as "The King of Masks". Seeking to pass his art to a grandson, Wang buys what he believes to be an orphan boy at an illegal child market, but quickly learns his new disciple is in fact a girl. As tradition dictates that he cannot pass his art onto a girl, he tries to abandon her, but she stubbornly stays with him. While looking at his masks, she accidentally sets his humble residence on fire. Out of guilt, she runs away. When Wang is falsely accused of kidnapping a rich family's child, he is thrown in jail. His former disciple goes to one of his friends, a famous performer in the local opera, threatening to kill herself if he or any of his guests, including a local military leader, are unable to help Wang. --- Wikipedia

The King of Masks," is a film of simplicity, beauty and surprising emotional power. It tells the story of a journey involving an old curmudgeon and a young child in search of a father. The difference is that the curmudgeon can become the father, if he chooses.

The film benefits enormously from the beauty of the setting, the costumes and the customs. The story contains elements of fable (the changeling, ancient secrets), but gains weight because we know that to Wang it makes a great difference whether Doggie is a boy or a girl. And Doggie's heroics at the end seem like melodrama until we reflect that, trained by a street artist, she would have known what she was doing.

Note: "The King of Masks" is marketed as an art film for grownups. But it would be an absorbing experience for bright children. Yes, there are subtitles, but no words a good reader wouldn't know. And the focus on the 8-year-old girl (not to mention Wang's beloved pet monkey) make this a magical film for third-graders and up. --- Roger Ebert

Directed by Wu Tianming. Written by Wei Minglung. Running time: 101 minutes. In Mandarin with English subtitles.

WHEN	Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, 6:00PM dinner, 7:00 film
WHERE	House of Louie Restaurant Banquet Room 331 NW Davis, Chinatown
COST	Dinner & Movie: $20 members; $25 general; $12 student. Please register on or before Dec.. 3, 2008 5pm.
REGISTER	Register & Pay On-line (click here), or Call 503-973-5451
PARKING	SmartPark on NW Davis, between NW Naito Parkway and NW 1st Ave.