king masks beautifully told story pits familial gender preference towards males human preference love companionship set s china time floods meet wang elderly street performer whose talents magical capture awe witness him famous operatic performer sees befriends wang invites wang join troupe however learn wangs family tradition allows pass secrets son learning wang childless wang encouraged find heir magic lost forever taking advice heart wang purchases  year old fulfill legacy would teach new son doggie ancient art silk masks soon wang discovers fact doggie threatens rare dying artbr br together wang doggie create bond experience range emotions invariably accompany it story absorbing setting serene costuming simple summarily international award winning art film cant help move inspire