I Am What I Am (2021 film)
| I Am What I Am | |
|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 雄獅少年 |
| Simplified Chinese | 雄狮少年 |
| Literal meaning | Male lion boy |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Xióngshī Shàonián |
| Jyutping | Hung4si1 Siu3nin4 |
| Directed by | Sun Haipeng |
| Written by | Li Zelin |
| Produced by |
|
| Edited by | Ye Xiang |
| Music by | Luan Hui |
Production company | Yi Animation |
Release dates | |
Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | China |
| Languages |
|
| Box office | US$39.4 million[2][3] |
I Am What I Am (simplified Chinese: 雄狮少年; traditional Chinese: 雄獅少年; pinyin: Xióngshī Shàonián; Jyutping: Hung4si1 Siu3nin4; lit. 'Male lion boy') is a 2021 Chinese animated comedy-drama film directed by Sun Haipeng.[1][4]
Plot
[edit] | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (September 2024) |
Gyun, an 18-year-old boy, is inspired to pursue lion dancing after meeting a skilled dancer at a festival. He forms a team with his friends and trains under Qiang, a former lion dancer. Despite struggles, including his father's accident and financial hardships, Gyun continues practicing while working in Guangzhou. He rejoins his team just in time for a lion dancing tournament, where they compete against strong rivals. In the final round, Gyun attempts the impossible by aiming for the Sky Pillar, securing his team’s victory. The story ends with Gyun's father waking from a coma, and Gyun embracing his future.
Controversy
[edit]A trailer for I Am What I Am attracted controversy on Weibo for being offensive due to the perceived exaggerated slanted eyes of the Chinese characters.[5] Producer Zhang Miao defended the character design as aesthetic confidence as opposed to a traditional Western design of Asian characters in animation.[6][7]
Reception
[edit]The movie was widely praised despite its modest box office takings.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Xióngshī Shàonián" 雄狮少年 (in Simplified Chinese). Douban. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ "I Am What I Am (2021)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ "Xiong Shi Shao Nian (雄狮少年) (2021) - Financial Information". Retrieved August 9, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Zhang Rui (December 19, 2021). "I Am What I Am captures realistic approach for Chinese animators". China.org.cn.
- ^ Dudok de Wit, Alex (January 13, 2022). "Controversial Indie Feature I Am What I Am Is Most Popular Chinese Film Of New Year Period". Cartoon Brew.
- ^ Dudok de Wit, Alex (December 31, 2021). "'Slanted Eyes' In Chinese Indie Film I Am What I Am Spark Backlash". Cartoon Brew.
- ^ "《雄狮少年》回应主角眯眯眼争议：展现审美自信". Sina Corporation. December 17, 2021.
- ^ "China's 'lion dance' animation comedy lauded despite tepid earnings". China Daily.
- ^ "China's "lion dance" animation comedy leads audience satisfaction survey". Xinhua. Xinhua News Agency.
External links
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