CATDOLL: SARFT holds seminar on "The Return of the Great Sage" and Chinese animation may move away from being too young

The domestic animation "Journey to the West: Hero is Back" was released for 27 days, and the box office exceeded 800 million yuan, triggering a phenomenal topic. On August 4, a seminar on the film "The Return of the Great Sage" was held in Beijing, hosted by the Cultural and Art Bureau of the Central Propaganda Department and the Film Bureau of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, and organized by the China Film Archive. Jing Junhai, Vice Minister of the Central Propaganda Department, Tong Gang, Vice Director of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, Zhang Hongsen, Director of the Film Bureau of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, and other leaders of relevant departments and experts and scholars attended the seminar. Jing Junhai, Vice Minister of the Central Propaganda Department, said that it is necessary to change the positioning of animation for young children and use new technology to produce animation for multiple age groups, or even all age groups .

Tian Xiaopeng, the director of "The Monkey King: Hero is Back", said that he has been trying to explore the emotional expression and aesthetic style in animated films that are different from European, American and Japanese animations. It is understood that the film is being distributed internationally and is preparing to produce a sequel. The encouragement from the industry and the audience has given the filmmakers and the creative team confidence. Tong Gang, deputy director of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, pointed out that "The Monkey King: Hero is Back" draws inspiration from the classic "Journey to the West", is bold in creation, ideal in imagination, and does not spoof. It is full of respect for the classics and embodies the Chinese spirit and Chinese style.

Experts and scholars generally believe that "The Return of the Great Sage" is a milestone in the development of domestic animation films. It has begun to change the sluggish state of domestic animation, allowing investors, creators and audiences of domestic animation to regain hope and expectations. Zhong Chengxiang, chairman of the Chinese Society of Literary and Art Critics, said that it shows the right path for the development of domestic animation. Jia Leilei, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Arts, believes that this film has made a successful attempt to exploit China's traditional cultural resources in a modern way.

In terms of the film's shortcomings, the experts at the meeting mentioned that the film's character design still has flaws, technical details are flawed, and the ending seems hasty. However, as a film that has changed the quality of domestic animation and the audience's perception, it still carries and conveys everyone's high hopes for domestic animation. "The Return of the Great Sage" is the clarion call for Chinese animated films to move towards the future.