An uneven, but intriguing film, Shadow Magic successfully operates within an historical context and on a human level. Based on a true story, Chinese/American filmmaker Ann Hu explores the introduction of cinema to Imperial Peking and the cultural divide between western and traditional Chinese values. This is portrayed through an unlikely friendship forged between Liu (Yu Xia), a young Chinese photographer and Raymond (Jared Harris), a ragged westerner, after Raymond’s silent movie 'Shadow Magic" enraptures Liu and his fellow villagers.
The film unfolds as Liu’s beguiling character doggedly pursues his two loves – filmmaking and Ling (Yufei Xing), against animosity from his employer, family and Ling’s father, opera star Lord Tan (Yusheng Li), who’s against Liu’s involvement with the foreigner and his show, the latter threatening to replace the ancient art of opera.
Although buoyed by superb cinematography that lovingly highlights the ornate China of old and plenty of whimsical scenes, the film’s hamstrung by a clumsy narrative structure and lightweight characters.
Shadow Magic is a strange paradox; as childish and stagy as the flickering images screened, these very elements also give it a quaint and playful feel. Predominantly it’s all smoke and mirrors, but sometimes that’s all you want to see.
Filmink 2.5/5
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