The King of Masks (China, 1996) ****

The King of MasksThough one can anticipate this film’s ending right from the start, and despite suffering from overly dramatic music and a few too many tears, the film has a nice human touch. It examines traditions, which though may seem wrongful and outdated, impose powerful restrictions on one’s mind. Whether the filmmakers intended this or not, it can make one rethink his/her own traditions and how these may look archaic years from now. It also reminded me of Barbara Tober’s quote: Traditions are group efforts to keep the unexpected from happening. Side notes to the film include a look into Chinese culture, lost arts, and state of the poor living on the edge as an everyday reality.