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Cast:
Chu
Yuk
Chao
Yim Yin
Chiu
Chi Gong
Cheung
Shui Yeung
Chan
Lee
Producer:
Mona
Fong
Hon
Pau Chu
Wu
Tian Ming
Director:
Wu
Tian Ming
Score:
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THE
KING
OF MASKS
AKA:
N/A
Year:
1996 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
The
'King Of Masks', Wang, is the last surviving master of the
dying art of 'mask change' and he travels throughout China
dazzling all with his exceptional skill. Knowing that, in
order for this family secret to continue, he must pass it on,
Wang searches for a protégé. His family's tradition strictly
states that it can only be taught to males, therefore the
traveller looks for a suitable boy to adopt. After rejecting
various offers by poverty-stricken parents to sell their
daughters, Wang finally finds a boy who he thinks will be able
to learn the valuable craft. Unfortunately, it takes the old
man a while to discover that his new student is in fact a
young girl and therefore ineligible for his training. Such a
discovery initially effects the bond that had formed between
the two, but gradually Wang puts aside feelings of being
cheated and takes the girl under his wing. Together the two
perform their individual street acts and become more like a
grandfather and granddaughter than a master/student. A tragic
accident yet again compromises this deep friendship though and
the 'King Of Masks' finds his living destroyed in the process.
Nevertheless, neither party can forget the close link they had
and how they truly rely on each other.
The
master/student story has been used by many different Hong Kong
genres and remains a device that, when used well, can be an
asset for the film. 'King Of Masks' takes the concept and
creates a genuine masterpiece, full to the brim of a warmth
and compassion that is rarely revealed in cinema. The
narrative uses the aforementioned starting point and expands
it beyond the usual restrictions; instead the viewer is
treated to a poetic musing on the very nature of friendship.
From the opening shots of gentle Chinese village life and the
introduction of Wang, there is no doubt that something very
special is about to unfold. By the time the end credits roll,
this feeling is thoroughly proven and the viewer is struggling
to find fault with such excellence. Chu Yuk as the eponymous
'King Of Masks' is superb, combining a genuine screen presence
with a humble, understated performance that few would be able
to achieve. Due credit must also go to co-star Chao Yim Yin as
the young girl who joins Wang on his journey; her immaculate
handling of the material adds significant resonance to an
already masterful production. The only possible quibble is so
minor that it only deserves a brief mention; some may consider
the metaphor of the masks as somewhat heavy-handed and certain
moments to be too sentimental, but these are very picky
criticisms. The fact of the matter is that 'King Of Masks'
represents what is sadly lacking in so many films that pretend
to have a social conscience i.e. this actually has a heart
beneath its surface instead of Hollywood's frequent emotional
sign-posting. A film that comes very highly recommended,
especially to those who enjoy watching cinema that stirs the
heart.
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