Chongqing - Canadian content creator Daniel Dumbrill has hailed the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 as a cinematic milestone, applauding its embrace of Chinese cultural identity and its potential to spark global curiosity about China.
In an interview with Daniel, he shared his enthusiasm for the film, "We all absolutely loved it—from the storyline to the animation, which was even better than the first movie, and the comic relief to the Chinese cultural references coming to life in the film."
Daniel praised Ne Zha 2 for its distinctive Chinese identity, emphasizing that it did not attempt to emulate overseas animation styles like some earlier Chinese animations. Instead, it embraced a unique approach, showcasing Chinese cultural elements through its narrative and animation. "It's distinctly Chinese, not just because of the cultural items but also the way the story was told, the character interactions, and the animation style," he said.
The film's cultural references, such as Daoism and Chinese relics, captivated Daniel, particularly those familiar with these artifacts. "For people who've seen these items in museums, like the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan, to see them brought to life in animation is incredibly exciting," he said. He also hoped that foreign audiences would be intrigued by these cultural elements, sparking an interest in China and its rich history.
Daniel sees the film's success as part of a broader trend where foreign audiences increasingly discover Chinese culture through platforms like Xiaohongshu, which means "little red book", in Mandarin, known as the Red Note app. "This movie is like an extension of that," he said, predicting that such films would continue to draw foreign interest and potentially lead to a greater global presence for Chinese cinema.
Reflecting on China's potential in the global creative market, Daniel believes that the country's deep cultural heritage, large population, and growing pool of creative talent have long been underrepresented. "With the success of this movie, I think it's opened a new channel for Chinese culture to reach the world," he explained. "I hope it leads to more creative works leaving China and gaining international recognition."
For those who are unsure about seeing the film, Daniel says, "Go out and see it. You won't regret it. It's a spectacular epic movie, and it will surely spark a new journey into discovering more about China."