Monday, November 24, 2008
CHINESE FILM SERIES - December 19 & 21, 2008
Monthly Chinese Film Appreciation Series: The King of Masks
As part of Chinese Culture Connection’s community outreach, CCC not only offers Chinese language, calligraphy and brush painting for students of all ages, but it also presents selected movies, on a monthly basis, for families and residents of Malden and beyond. The admission to the movie is free and open to the public. The first film shown last week, “Together”, was a big hit. It is hoped that “King of Masks” will generate the same interest and sentiments. This film is supported by the Stoneham Savings Bank, Malden Branch.
The King of Masks directed by Wu Tian Ming, was released in 1996. The film won a number of awards at various film festivals around the world. It 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 false 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. The King is eventually freed, and finally agrees to teach her the art of bian lian.
This second monthly movie in our film appreciation series will be shown on both Friday, Dec 19 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, Dec 21st at 4:00 PM. All movies will be shown at 238 Highland Ave. Malden, the old Emerson School Building’s auditorium. In addition to the free movie, there will also be free popcorn and drinks, and raffle prizes for the audience at the end of the show. Invite your friends and family, too!
As part of Chinese Culture Connection’s community outreach, CCC not only offers Chinese language, calligraphy and brush painting for students of all ages, but it also presents selected movies, on a monthly basis, for families and residents of Malden and beyond. The admission to the movie is free and open to the public. The first film shown last week, “Together”, was a big hit. It is hoped that “King of Masks” will generate the same interest and sentiments. This film is supported by the Stoneham Savings Bank, Malden Branch.
The King of Masks directed by Wu Tian Ming, was released in 1996. The film won a number of awards at various film festivals around the world. It 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 false 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. The King is eventually freed, and finally agrees to teach her the art of bian lian.
This second monthly movie in our film appreciation series will be shown on both Friday, Dec 19 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, Dec 21st at 4:00 PM. All movies will be shown at 238 Highland Ave. Malden, the old Emerson School Building’s auditorium. In addition to the free movie, there will also be free popcorn and drinks, and raffle prizes for the audience at the end of the show. Invite your friends and family, too!
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