this film be about so many thing . most obvious be the hold that film can have over an audience and how capturing life on film can be a kind of magic . there be also the tense relationship between china and the west a many chinese saw ( probably rightly so ) the barbarian a try to take over and pollute their way of life . liu even seek to preserve their way of life on film because he see that it will one day disappear . their be also liu internal conflict between the loyalty and tradition of china versus the self determination philosophy of the west . all these theme be weave quite skillfully into a coherent and enjoyable whole by hu . a very enjoyable film .