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Fresh take on Yue Fei
By Xu Wei |
October 2, 2011, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
COMPARED with Hollywood cartoon works, many domestic animation films are criticized for their doctrinairism, boring themes and lack of originality.
But the latest Chinese animated feature "The Legend of Young Yue Fei" is trying to break these stereotypes and rejuvenate the domestic animation scene with a new and powerful story.
The film produced by Shanghai Film Animation Studio hit cinemas across China on Friday. Versions with either English and Chinese subtitles are available.
It centers on the teenage years of Yue Fei (1103-42), a famous general from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) who devotes his short life to defending his country against invaders.
The life of the historical icon of patriotism, courage and loyalty has been depicted many times in films and TV dramas. However, this is the first time the hero's young years are portrayed in an animated film.
According to director Tsai Min-chin, whose animated movie "The Butterfly Lovers" was nominated for best animated film at Taiwan's Golden Horse Film Festival in 2004, he is not interested in making a mainstream movie with a patriotic theme for kids.
"We want to provide more light-hearted insight into the hero - how a naughty boy matures into a great military commander," Tsai says. "The hero will be depicted more like an ordinary person with complicated emotions, weaknesses and romantic links with young woman."
Since there are few historical documents on Yue's youth, Tsai had more freedom to create something fresh. The film features a fair bit of fantasy and martial arts as Yue and his friends battle monsters such as a snake, leopard and turtle.
The film reaches its climax when Yue's mother writes the words "Serve your nation with the utmost loyalty" on his back. There is likely to be a sequel that focuses on Yue's later life and brilliant military victories.
Tsai says Chinese animators need to learn how to tell stories in a way that children can relate to and understand. "There is no need to imitate foreign animated films as we have our own rich and profound culture," Tsai adds. "A good story will always win and be rewarded."
But the latest Chinese animated feature "The Legend of Young Yue Fei" is trying to break these stereotypes and rejuvenate the domestic animation scene with a new and powerful story.
The film produced by Shanghai Film Animation Studio hit cinemas across China on Friday. Versions with either English and Chinese subtitles are available.
It centers on the teenage years of Yue Fei (1103-42), a famous general from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) who devotes his short life to defending his country against invaders.
The life of the historical icon of patriotism, courage and loyalty has been depicted many times in films and TV dramas. However, this is the first time the hero's young years are portrayed in an animated film.
According to director Tsai Min-chin, whose animated movie "The Butterfly Lovers" was nominated for best animated film at Taiwan's Golden Horse Film Festival in 2004, he is not interested in making a mainstream movie with a patriotic theme for kids.
"We want to provide more light-hearted insight into the hero - how a naughty boy matures into a great military commander," Tsai says. "The hero will be depicted more like an ordinary person with complicated emotions, weaknesses and romantic links with young woman."
Since there are few historical documents on Yue's youth, Tsai had more freedom to create something fresh. The film features a fair bit of fantasy and martial arts as Yue and his friends battle monsters such as a snake, leopard and turtle.
The film reaches its climax when Yue's mother writes the words "Serve your nation with the utmost loyalty" on his back. There is likely to be a sequel that focuses on Yue's later life and brilliant military victories.
Tsai says Chinese animators need to learn how to tell stories in a way that children can relate to and understand. "There is no need to imitate foreign animated films as we have our own rich and profound culture," Tsai adds. "A good story will always win and be rewarded."
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