21/07/2025

LYFE MONDAY | JULY 21, 2025

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Ne Zha 2 is the highest grossing animated film of all time.

I N 1905, a silent, 30-minute black-and-white reel captured Peking Opera master Tan Xinpei performing as a general in Dingjun Mountain – China’s first-ever film – ushering in an era of visual storytelling for the nation. Now, 120 years later, China has rewritten global box office records with Ne Zha 2 , an animated epic that stands as the highest-grossing animated film of all time and one of the top five films worldwide by total earnings. In a recent reply letter to eight veteran Chinese film artists, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the country’s film industry to create more outstanding cinematic works that reflect the spirit of the times and express the aspirations of the people. Xi encouraged them to inspire the broader film community to strengthen cultural confidence, stay grounded in real life and make new contributions to the prosperity of the arts and the building of a culturally strong nation. When tech meets Chinese culture From the muted flickers of early reels to the dazzling spectacle of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered epics, China’s 120-year cinematic journey has been defined by unyielding innovation. The runaway success of Ne Zha 2 – which follows the rebellious boy-god Ne Zha and his dragon companion Ao Bing as they reclaim their physical forms and rewrite their destinies – is fuelled by breathtaking, action-packed visuals. Behind this cinematic hit lies a technological feat: advanced computer graphics and custom algorithms powered hyper-realistic lava flows, explosive particle effects and vast crowd simulations. Xi calls on China’s film industry to create more outstanding cinematic works.

Cutting-edge tech powering rise of China’s film industry

Thriving industry China is now world’s second-largest film market. Last year, over 1.01 billion cinema visits were recorded across the country. As of July 8, data from online platforms showed that China’s cumulative box office revenue for this year – including presales – had exceeded 30 billion yuan (RM17.7 billion), reaching this milestone in just 189 days, 28 days ahead of last year’s pace. The country is also playing an increasingly influential role in reshaping the global cinematic landscape. Last year alone, China hosted international film festivals in more than 30 countries and regions. At home, Chinese cinemas screened 93 imported films, generating over 9 billion yuan in box office revenue. Chen Daoming, a renowned actor and chairman of the China Film Association, said Xi’s reply letter offers a guiding framework for the Chinese film industry. “It is an essential and profound source of inspiration. I hope that through our joint efforts, we can create many outstanding works that contribute to the prosperity of the arts and the building of a culturally strong nation,” said Chen, who was one of the writers of the letter to Xi. Gao Ying, a manager at the time-honoured Capital Cinema in Beijing, said the president’s letter awakened a deep sense of mission within her. “We are committed to transforming every screen and theatre into a cultural window that tells China’s story and celebrates the Chinese spirit.” – CGTN the

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o Breathtaking CGI combined with cultural legacy pave way to globally resonant movies

storytelling and visual artistry. CMC Pictures announced last week that the English-language version of Ne Zha 2 will debut in Imax and 3D across theatres in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand starting Aug 22. Ellen Eliasoph, an Academy Awards juror and veteran filmmaker, emphasised that the global expansion of Chinese cinema is driven not merely by commercial ambition, but by its profound cultural influence – which she described as the true cornerstone of its success. “China is truly an untapped goldmine of intellectual property when it comes to filmmaking,” said Eliasoph, who was the first Hollywood executive to work in China, in an interview with China Media Group in April.

spacesuits, quantum AI computers and robotic arms. The Chinese fantasy trilogy Creation of the Gods , known for its heroic clashes between good and evil, utilised motion capture technology and Hollywood-style production pipelines to standardise its filmmaking process. China’s film industry today blends state-of-the-art technology with the richness of a 5,000-year cultural legacy, producing visually stunning narratives that resonate with global audiences. Recent hits such as the Ne Zha saga, the Creation of the Gods trilogy and Chang An have reimagined ancient Chinese

To achieve these immersive scenes – some featuring up to 200 million characters in a single frame – a collaborative network of 138 animation studios across China worked in unison, elevating the scale and precision of the film to unprecedented heights. A growing wave of Chinese films is also harnessing cutting-edge technology to enrich storytelling and push the boundaries of cinematic innovation. In The Wandering Earth 2 , a Chinese sci-fi blockbuster, production teams leveraged 3D printing to craft highly detailed props, including futuristic

Children pose for a picture as they visit a cinema to watch Nezha 2 , which follows a rebellious boy-god and his dragon companion.

People queue as a screen shows scenes from Ne Zha 2 at a cinema in Beijing. – ALL PICS FROM AFP