Shadow Magic

At the end of the 19th century,

the West's growing interest in China...

threatened the cultural traditions

of the Qing Dynasty.

The following was inspired

by the true story of a Westerner...

who journeyed to China in 1902.

Father, may I have

my photo taken too?

We will see.

We must catch the light.

Open all the shades.

What do we need photographs for?

We know what we look like.

I know an actor

who posed for a photograph...

and the camera stole his soul.

He never performed again.

Protect the camera.

Chang, how could you put

the reflector there?

What kind of lighting is this?

Has anyone seen Liu?

Has anyone seen Liu?

I'll find him.

Come back here, Fu Guan!

Don't just stand there!

Wait.

Clean this up.

I'll find him myself.

" Pho-no-graph."

Hey, hey, hey! Easy!

I've got precious cargo here!

Liu! Father's been looking for you

everywhere! You're in trouble!

What's that?

Come and see.

Close your eyes.

He's so happy. He must have

stuffed himself with sweets.

Put me in the box too!

Where have you been?

We're losing the light.

What are you doing in here?

Master Ren, look.

When I crank this,

sounds are produced.

Think of the customer's face when

he hears this. Imagine the portraits!

Liu, that's enough.

You've gone too far!

Do you know how many people

want your job?

Last week,

it was the wind machine.

Now it's this noisy contraption.

Liu, if you can't be serious,

I'm going to have to--

Master!

Lord Tan has arrived.

Hurry up, then.

Welcome, Lord Tan!

Look! That's Lord Tan!

Lord Tan!

I've never seen him up close!

Stop, stop! Stop!

Welcome, Lord Tan!

Please, come this way.

Keep an eye on my stuff.

I hope you had a pleasant journey,

Lord Tan.

We are most honored to welcome you

to Feng Tai Photo Studio.

Are you ready to begin?

Your Lordship.

Play something.

May I introduce Liu,

our chief photographer.

Opera. Opera.

I admit, these Western tunes

have some merit, but on the whole...

I find their music

ostentatious and...

lacking in the refinements...

of our tradition.

Sing us a song!

Are you the, uh--

Are you the proprietor?

Who are you?

What do you want?

We're the same.

My-My name is Raymond Wallace.

Raymond Wallace.

- Sir, good day.

- What is your business here?

My business-- The same.

Better.

My pictures...

they move.

Living photographs that move.

- It's a worldwide phenomenon.

- Be gone!

- Hello.

- You speak English.

- Hello.

- You speak English.

A little.

Speak Chinese better.

Yeah. He understands.

Please leave my studio.

No, wait, wait.

You don't understand.

Lord Tan, sorry for the disruption.

Please, come this way.

What are you doing?

Don't touch me.

Pull back the shades!

Good! That's it!

Who is that?

An employee named Liu.

Lord Tan...

please forgive me.

Would you lift your head a little...

when you pose?

Perfect! That's it!

Let's try it now with music.

You two, start playing.

Keep an eye on my stuff.

My dearest Claire, I do miss you...

and I miss our children more than

these feeble words can convey.

I will be able to earn more here

than my creditors back home desire.

And Claire...

there will be yet more to come.

As I've told you many times...

my fortunes are on the rise.

I remain your loving husband,

Raymond.

There's always something new

in Lord Tan's performances!

At my age, there's nothing new.

I 'm surprised to see you here.

Well, I-I just--

You dropped your fan at Feng Tai.

- I came to return it.

- That's very kind of you.

Ling, you are expected backstage!

I'm coming!

Come again, if you like.

Thank you. I will.

Keep it for me for now.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Direct from Paris!

Moving pictures!

Only five coins.

Another crazy contraption

from the West.

Step on up!

Be the first person in Peking...

to witness this amazing

new invention.

Come on, sir.

You, ma'am, come and see.

Only five--

You, sir, come and see

a new invention.

- Hello.

- You speak English.

You remember me?

I remember you

from the photo shop.

Yeah, that's right.

Please, just go away.

You, sir, step on up.

Step on up.

Be the first person--

I friend.

Look, please, I don't want

any trouble.

Please, just go away, okay?

Go away. Yes? Thank you.

You, sir, step on up.

Come on.

You wanna be the first person

to see Yin Shing?

A new invention.

You, sir.

Only five coins.

You, sir.

You, sir.

You tell truth?

Picture move?

You want to see?

Yeah. You wanna see?

All right.

Five. Five.

Yeah, five.

Oh, God.

You don't have the money.

Come on. On your way.

Come on.

I'm not a charity.

Come on. On your way.

Move.

You don't want to show me.

Picture can't move.

-Just brag.

- Eh?

Just brag.

I don't believe it.

How can picture move?

Must be lie.

Are you calling me a liar?

- Are you calling me a liar?

- Liar.

All right, you come with me.

Through these doors.

Through these doors.

Yep, through there.

Through there. Come on.

In you come.

Sit there.

Sit.

Don't move.

Believe me now, don't you?

You can't come in here.

More, more! More!

Look, if you want to see more,

you'll have to pay.

- Yes? Pay.

- Work, work.

Go help.

You've changed your tune,

haven't you, mate? Now, come on.

- Show me. Show me.

- Come on.

Even if I told you, you wouldn't

understand it in a million years.

How can picture move?

Show me, please!

Please! Please!

How can picture move?

- Thank you very much.

- Hey! No, no!

Show me!

Please! Wait!

Madame Jiang, Liu will be here

any minute.

I've got it!

I've figured it out!

The foreigner was right!

Pictures can move!

- You know what this is?

- A butterfly?

- And this?

- Also a butterfly.

Watch closely!

Hey! It's flying!

Respect for order is paramount

at Feng Tai.

A well-run business

must be orderly.

When a customer is here

for a portrait...

there should be no distractions.

We must pay strict attention

to propriety.

About this morning.

I'm truly sorry.

Please punish me.

You could have cost us a customer.

And the Widow Jiang, no less.

Don't let it happen again.

No, sir.

I promise I won't.

Perhaps my wife is right.

Maybe marriage

would settle you down.

Marriage?

Good evening, neighbor.

This rain.

It could be worse.

Jewelry Tower.

Liu.

You're not a child anymore.

Get to the point, Jewelry Tower.

This is a wonderful

opportunity for you.

The Widow Jiang

has her heart set on you.

The Widow Jiang!

Wants me?

Your worries would be over.

I was proud like you

when I was young.

Another leak.

Don't worry, Father.

I'll fix it.

You don't want to end up like me.

Listen to me.

Father...

I can't marry the widow.

When my father spoke,

I obeyed!

My only son has no respect for me.

Jewelry Tower.

Choose a wedding date.

He's so stubborn.

Western music!

Western show!

Step up!

Don't be shy!

Seeing is believing!

Come see for yourself!.

Is it magic?

It's better than magic!

See pictures come alive in the dark!

Is music part of the show?

- Yes! It's all part of the show.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes