'King of Masks'

Film Review # 95523

Asian Studies
Film > Analysis, Criticism, Etc.
Women Studies

'King of Masks'

A review of the old Chinese movie, 'King of Masks'.

761 words () | 0 sources | 2006 Philippines

Paper Summary:

This essay reviews the classic Chinese movie, 'King of Masks'. The paper reviews the gender and societal implications and discriminations of old China as portrayed in the film. The paper further discusses how art imitates life, and in understanding the artistic assets of the film from costumes to plot to set design, the essay illuminates the culture that has built -and perhaps still sustains- China.

From the Paper:

"Another discrimination against womanhood is their low appraisal in the black market. While a boy's parents can demand huge amounts of money for the custody of their child ('Ten dollars and he is yours.'), a girl's parents can only beg for minimal compassion ('You don't have to pay a cent.', 'If you feed her, I'll be content.'). Of course to put a price on a child's identity is the lowest form of judging an individual's value. But even money cannot substantiate the worth of a little girl."