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I Am What I Am (simplified Chinese: 雄狮少年; traditional Chinese: 雄獅少年; pinyin: Xióngshī Shàonián; Jyutping: Hungsi Siunin; lit. 'Male lion boy') is a 2021 Chinese animated comedy-drama film directed by Sun Haipeng and distributed by Beijing Splendid Culture & Entertainment Co., Ltd.. The film tells the story of Gyun, a left-behind teenager in a remote village, who forms a lion dancing team with his best friends, Mao and Gou, and eventually wins a lion dancing competition. The film was released in China on December 17, 2021 with a positive word-of-mouth, but suffered from controversy among Chinese netizens due to the style of the character designs, which affected the box office.

Plot

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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.

Voice cast

• Li Xin as Gyun (Liu Jiajuan)
• Chen Ye Xiong as Mao (Liu Fu Jun)
• Guo Hao as Gou (Liu Zhixiong)
• Li Meng as Qiang (Xie Guoqiang)
• Li Jia Si as Zhen (Xu Hui Zhen)
• Cai Zhuangzhuang as Chen Zhuangcheng
• Qiu Mu as Ah Juan (Xu Juanran)
• Xiong Chenjie as Gyun's mom
• Ma Yufei as Gyun's father
• Bach as Gyun's grandpa
• Fu Bowen as the Host of Lion Dance Final Competition
• Wang Yuanying as the Lion Dance Master
• Chenglin Liu as Juvenile Gyun

Controversy

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. Producer Zhang Miao defended the character design as aesthetic confidence as opposed to a traditional Western design of Asian characters in animation.

Release

The film was released in China on December 17, 2021, and was produced and distributed by Beijing Splendid Culture & Entertainment Co., Ltd. in digital 2D, IMAX 2D, China Giant Screen 2D, and CINITY 2D. In December 2021, the film was included in the fifteenth batch of the Chinese National Copyright Administration's warning list for copyright protection of key works of the year 2021. On December 28, 2021, the production team officially announced the addition of a digital 2D Cantonese version.

Reception

The movie was widely praised despite its modest box office takings.

Accolades

Expanded franchise

Sequel

The sequel, I Am What I Am 2, is slated for release in 2024; its footage was first released at the 2023 Beijing Spendid Annual Launch. In order to earn money for his father's medical treatment, Gyun, a nobody who comes to Shanghai for work, agrees to participate in the “Shanghai Fight Night” martial arts competition on behalf of the declining Chuanwu Kung Fu Gym, for which he has to overcome all the masters, prejudices and himself.

Novel

The book I Am What I Am, published by Shanghai Translation Publishing House in 2023, is adapted from the animated film of the same name released at the end of 2021. The author is Li Zelin.

The novel tells the story of Gyun, a left-behind youth who is often bullied. Driven by his passion for lion dancing, he forms a lion dance team with his friends Mao and Gou. Under the training of Qiang, they endure many challenges, transforming from “sick cats” into “lions.” This realist work not only celebrates the dreams of ordinary people in extraordinary times but also praises the indomitable spirit of young people who refuse to give in and fight against fate.

Musical

On October 10, 2023, the cast of the Mandarin premiere of the musical I Am What I Am was officially announced. This musical, adapted from the Chinese animated film of the same name, is an original production by the Guangzhou Opera House. It highlights Lingnan’s lion dance culture, local customs, and the enduring spirit of hard work and perseverance characteristic of the Guangfu culture.

The show stars Fang Shujian, Guo Hongxu, Chen Keming, Jordan Chan, Kit Chan, and others. It will have its national premiere at the Guangzhou Opera House from January 11 to 14, 2024.

References

1. ^ "Xióngshī Shàonián" 雄狮少年 (in Simplified Chinese). Douban. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
2. "I Am What I Am (2021)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
3. "Xiong Shi Shao Nian (雄狮少年) (2021) - Financial Information". Retrieved August 9, 2024.
4. ^ Zhang Rui (December 19, 2021). "I Am What I Am captures realistic approach for Chinese animators". China.org.cn.
5. ^ 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.
6. ^ Dudok de Wit, Alex (December 31, 2021). "'Slanted Eyes' In Chinese Indie Film I Am What I Am Spark Backlash". Cartoon Brew.
7. ^ "《雄狮少年》回应主角眯眯眼争议：展现审美自信". Sina Corporation. December 17, 2021.
8. ^ "NYICFF on Twitter". 2022-04-08.
9. ^ "重磅揭晓！中国电影导演协会2020-2023年度荣誉提名名单 国内要闻 烟台新闻网 胶东在线 国家批准的重点新闻网站". www.jiaodong.net. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
10. "China's 'lion dance' animation comedy lauded despite tepid earnings". China Daily.
11. "China's "lion dance" animation comedy leads audience satisfaction survey". Xinhua. Xinhua News Agency.
12. admin (2022-07-24). "'Red Post on Escher Street' wins the Jury Prize and 'I am what I am' wins the Audience Award and the Critics Award". Festival Nits de cinema oriental de Vic. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
13. "国产动画《雄狮少年 2》片花曝光，2024 年上映 - IT之家". www.ithome.com. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
14. 雄狮少年2 (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved 2024-11-03 – via movie.douban.com.
15. "上海出版·每月书单 | 上海译文出版社2023年10月书单". Weixin Official Accounts Platform. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
16. "陈小春将饰"咸鱼强"！广州大剧院年度巨制音乐剧《雄狮少年》首演卡司官宣_王涵琦_南方_秋盟". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2024-10-16.

External links

• I Am What I Am at IMDb 

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