I am What I am

Written by Li Zelin and directed by Sun Haipeng

“I Am What I Am,” a Chinese animated film directed by Sun Haipeng, boasts animation so lifelike that it’s easy to overlook its cartoon nature. The meticulously detailed backgrounds surpass reality, a redundancy that’s nonetheless impressive. The film’s idiosyncrasies, ranging from a brush-painted opening scene to imaginative sequences, seamlessly complement its realistic aesthetic, resulting in a breathtaking visual experience.

The lion dance, a traditional art form prevalent in China and several other Asian countries like Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan, demands a blend of agility, strength, and acrobatics. Typically showcased during festivals like Chinese New Year, the “dancing lion” involves a duo operating a splendid costume—the first manipulating a giant head and the other controlling the rear of the creature—while accompanied by a drummer. Evolving from an art form to a competitive sport, designated teams now vie in arenas, a competitive element that significantly influences the film’s narrative.

At last, a low-budget, innovative, and stunning independent production emerges. The outcome is a captivating fusion of engineering and creativity, featuring some of the most authentically human character animation I’ve encountered. While it distinctly tackles various facets of national identity, the emotions depicted resonate universally. Produced with a mere fraction of the budget of major studios like Pixar, this is one of the key reasons that piqued my interest in exploring this Chinese animation!

Image courtesy of Wikimedia 

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