The Magic of Chinese Animation

This film screening includes a selection of classics of Chinese animation, drawing on a variety of styles and techniques.

Duan Jia is a professor at the Beijing Film Academy, the author of the soon-to-be-published Animation World History, and an award-winning animator.

The entire family will enjoy this selection of classics of Chinese animation, drawing on a variety of styles and techniques. A Clever Duckling was adapted from the folk art of folded paper. Monkeys Fish the Moon is a charming cut-paper animation about some very silly monkeys. The most beloved animation in China, Three Monks, offers a unique version of an ancient proverb about learning to live and work together. Snipe-Clam Grapple uses delicate cut-paper animation to illustrate a proverb. Te Wei's final brush-painting animation, Feeling from Mountain and Water, tells the tender story of the bond between a master musician and his young protégé. Duan Jia's Lotus was created as a 3-D animation choreographed to music; it integrates Chinese and Western art, and moves from poetic beauty to destruction and rebirth.

—David Ehrlich

• A Clever Duckling (Yu Zhenguang, 1960, 5 mins, DigiBeta). Monkeys Fish the Moon (Zhou Keqin, A Da, 1981, 10 mins, 16mm). Three Monks (A Da, 1980, 20 mins, 35mm). Snipe-Clam Grapple (Hu Jingqing, 1983, 7 mins, DigiBeta). Feeling from Mountain and Water (Te Wei with Yan Sanchun, Ma Kexuan, 1988, 20 mins, DigiBeta). Lotus (Duan Jia, 2000, 10 mins, 35mm)

• (Total running time: c. 90 mins, Color.) This program would not be possible without the invaluable assistance of Karl Cohen and David Ehrlich. Our thanks also to Shanghai Animation Studio, ASIFA-SF, and Andre Coutu, Ottawa International Animation Festival.