Face-changing (变脸)

This is a short clip of the old Chinese art of 变脸 (pronounced bian lian), or literally, "face-changing". The performer rapidly goes though a series of masks in the routine, which may last for as long as 30 minutes or even more.

The performer may be dancing or even displaying his wushu skills throughout the act, and the main source of wonderment stems from his hands never coming anywhere close to his face prior to the changes.

This skill is not taught to non-chinese.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• magic
• magical
• art
• opera
• performance
• amazing
• masks
• mask
• 变脸
• wushu
• dance

[magic1926]

this video is so funny

[h3x4d3cim4l]

why is it funny?

[MinorDragon]

I really want to see one of these performances live. My former Chinese dance teacher has a friend who does this, and he said it can be a bit hard to breath under all those masks. o_O

[h3x4d3cim4l]

I've always thought it was many masks put on in layers... but this clip shows the last mask going on rather than coming off... hmm.

btw I've seen one live. At one point the guy goes into the audience to shake hands. Everyone looks at the hands, then up again and his mask has changed. At another he does this high kick, using his foot to obscure his face for a split second.

[kayteeW]

shut up stop acting like you know how its done.

[benjo5132]

so easy you tell us how la

[NiaJustNia]

@h3x4d3cim4l I think (as they generally lightly touch their face, neck or head gear) it might work in catches (like lock and unlock and organize which to release) would make a bit of sense, but I'm not sure :L

[elainelai89]

@0TylerDurden0 Whatever. Dun insult.

[emmybethsmall]

what opera is this from?

[DetkaWillowheart]

They are rolled up in the black band below the gold crown. If you look at the start the roll is very visable and large, then the last black mask is made up of the same material, and if you look then (at the end) the rolled up black materail is gone.

[5c0rpI0nz]

how to do that ??

[SesyiiEveliaao287]

hëy_ï_fèël_sò_lÓNElý_tODÃÿ

[Contextcatcher]

1)

PETER: Who are you?

VALERIO: I'm not sure I know. [He slowly removes several masks, one after the

another.] Am I this? Or this? Or this? What a frightening thought: if I keep on removing layer after layer, I might peel myself entirely away.

PETER [disconcerted]: But surely you must be something?

[Contextcatcher]

2)

VALERIO: If your Majesty so commands. But in that case, gentlemen, turn the

mirrors to the wall, cover your shiny buttons, and don't look at me like that lest I see my reflection mirrored in your eyes - or I truly won't know any more who I am.

PETER: This fellow is throwing me into total turmoil and deep desperation. I'm

calamitously confused.

From the play (1836) "Leonce and Lena", German writer Georg Büchner (1813-1837).

[CarlosEnrique408]

@ladyhaku well, im still mexican...

[MrRawritsAlex]

@0TylerDurden0 ...The fuck? o_o