Shan shui qing (1988)

Director:

Wei Te

Writer:

Wang Shuchen (writer)

Release Date:

1988 (China)

Genre:

Short | Animation

Awards:

1 win

Also Known As:

Feelings of Mountains and Waters (International: English title)

Runtime:

France:19 min

Country:

China

Language:

None

Color:

Color

A work of art come to life

This is one animated short you'll have to see for yourself, as it really isn't possible to truly capture what SHAN SHUI QING was in mere words. Instead of a traditional animated film, this one looks like traditional Chinese watercolor paintings that come to life. Through these gorgeous scenes, characters move about and interact in a way that is a pure delight to the eyes.

The story isn't the most important thing about the film, but here is my attempt to summarize it. A girl rows an older man across the water. The man is weak and once they have crossed, he collapses to the ground. He is nursed back to health and while convalescing he teaches her to play the zheng (sort of like a Chinese zither). She becomes very proficient and when he eventually leaves, he gives her the gift of this fine instrument.

As I said, though, this is like a painting that moves and looks like something that would be shown in an art gallery--especially since the story itself is not the main point of the film. See it for yourself--it's rather magical and worth a look.