"The world is a cold place but we can warm it."-- The quote from one of the characters, Master Liang, identifies a key theme in Wu Tianming' The Movie The king of masks, or the power of true feelings in times of oppression and inequality. Wu Tianming is a representative of China's fourth generation filmmakers, known for a simple, natural and realistic way of telling stories, as well as their thematic exploration of human nature and the meaning of life. Masks is Wu's scholarly work through which we can see his philosophy from the depiction of ordinary people and the mundane elements of everyday life. The story takes place in the 1930s in a small town in Sichuan and revolves around the changing perception of King, a street artist who abandons the feudal idea that his skills cannot be passed on through girls to finally allow his beloved adoptive niece Doggie to be the heir. The 1930s are a time of social hierarchy and gender inequality where minority rights are exploited; it is also a time of moral confinement, as most people do not receive an education and unquestioningly follow social rules and customs simply because they are told to do so. However, Masks shows us that the power of true feelings and humanity can ultimately allow people to overcome all barriers and defeat injustice, as in the finale King is finally able to let go of all social restrictions to teach Doggie to change face because he realizes that nothing is more important than their love and their family bond. The film's emphasis on emotional portrayal, accompanied by artistic cinematography, tranquil scenery, and the charm of traditional Chinese art, contributed to the timelessness and immutability of the paper medium's beliefs. ....should be guided by conscience rather than fixed social rules, and the cause of justice and freedom is worth fighting for. Works Cited Dodd, Kevin. "The King of Masks: The Myth of Miao-Shan and the Emancipation of Women." Journal of Religion and Film 16.1(2012): Article 5. Accessed May 27, 2014. http://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/jrf/vol16/iss1/5Garcia, Maria. "The King of Masks, The." Film Journal International News. Accessed May 27, 2014. http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000697887 Jeff. "The Fourth Generation of Chinese Filmmakers." Chinese culture. Accessed May 27, 2014. http://www1.chinaculture.org/library/2008-01/18/content_67749.htmRibeiro, Luisa F. “Unmasked: A Glimpse Into a Lost World.” Baltimore City Document. November 8, 1999. Accessed May 27, 2014. http://www2.citypaper.com/film/review.asp?rid=7639