Synopsis
"The King of Masks" is a 1995 drama film directed by Wu Tianming, starring Zhu Xu and Zhou Renying. Set in 1920s Sichuan, it tells the story of a street performer known as the King of Masks, who strictly adheres to the ancestral rule of passing his skills only to males. He adopts a boy, only to discover the child is actually a girl, leading to a deep and profound bond between them. With a Douban rating of 9.1, it is one of China's most internationally awarded films.
Overview
The King of Masks is a 1995 Chinese film directed by Wu Tianming, a leading figure of the Fourth Generation of Chinese directors, and written by Wei Minglun, adapted from the novel Gelaozi's Grandson. Starring Zhu Xu, with child star Zhou Renying and Zhao Zhigang among the cast, the film has a runtime of 101 minutes. It boasts a high Douban rating of 9.1 and is listed in the Douban Movie Top 250. It is one of the mainland Chinese films that has won the most international awards, including Best Film at the Hawaii International Film Festival and the Special Jury Prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Set in 1920s Sichuan, the film tells a touching story about the inheritance of traditional skills, gender prejudice, and genuine human affection. The brilliant performances by veteran actor Zhu Xu and child star Zhou Renying, portraying an old man and a young child, moved countless audiences to tears. Wu Tianming, with an extremely simple and sincere approach, created this heartwarming work that resonates deeply with viewers.
Plot
In the Sichuan plains of the 1920s, a wandering performer known as the King of Masks (Zhu Xu) makes a living with his face-changing (bian lian) skill, performing Sichuan opera face-changing in teahouses and temple fairs. He lives alone on a boat, adhering strictly to his ancestral rule all his life: the face-changing skill is passed down only to males and only within the family. Without a son, his unique craft faces the danger of being lost.
On the suggestion of the renowned Sichuan opera performer, the Living Guanyin Liang Sulan (Zhao Zhigang), the King of Masks decides to buy a boy to inherit his legacy. He buys a child named Gouwa (Zhou Renying) from a human trafficker. The King of Masks teaches Gouwa meticulously, and a deep bond forms between them.
However, the King of Masks accidentally discovers a shocking truth—Gouwa is actually a girl. Bound by ancestral rules, he faces a dilemma: he cannot bear to send away the child he has come to rely on, yet he cannot defy the ancestral tradition by teaching his skill to a girl. After much painful struggle, the King of Masks decides to send Gouwa away.
After being sent away, Gouwa encounters a series of misfortunes and eventually ends up imprisoned. Upon learning the news, the King of Masks rushes to rescue her without regard for his own safety. During this process, he deeply reflects on the relationship between traditional rules and human affection. Ultimately, the King of Masks breaks free from the constraints of gender prejudice and passes on his face-changing skill to Gouwa.
Cast
| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Zhu Xu | King of Masks | A wandering performer who strictly adheres to ancestral rules, later develops a deep bond with Gouwa |
| Zhou Renying | Gouwa | The child adopted by the King of Masks, actually a girl |
| Zhao Zhigang | Liang Sulan | A renowned Sichuan opera performer known as the Living Guanyin, who appreciates talent and advises the King of Masks |
Cultural Impact
The King of Masks is one of the most simple yet moving works in Chinese cinema. Director Wu Tianming did not use any flashy techniques; instead, he narrated a story about inheritance and affection in an almost straightforward, sketch-like manner. Zhu Xu's performance is textbook-level; he meticulously portrayed the King of Masks's stubbornness, kindness, and inner softness. Child actor Zhou Renying also delivered an astonishing performance; her lively eyes were filled with heartbreaking innocence and longing.
The film's portrayal of Sichuan opera face-changing, a national intangible cultural heritage, also holds significant cultural value. Face-changing is the most mysterious skill in Sichuan opera, involving the rapid change of multiple masks in an extremely short time, leaving audiences in awe. The film details the performance process and training methods of face-changing, leaving a precious visual record of this traditional craft.
As a leading figure of China's Fourth Generation of directors, Wu Tianming nurtured Fifth Generation directors such as Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and Huang Jianxin. During his tenure as head of Xi'an Film Studio, he boldly promoted young directors, pioneering a new phase in Chinese cinema. The King of Masks is a representative work of Wu Tianming's later years and a perfect footnote to his lifelong dedication to the art of film.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/1293237/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/变脸
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/变脸_(电影)
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