The film 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 falsely 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.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King_of_Masks
about the director
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Tianming
my five kids [aging 3-13] and me were glued to the screen, this is a beautiful story of the power of a small girl.
