Let me tell you about a movie that has become a permanent resident in my top shelf of Chinese anime films (donghua): Big Fish & Begonia. This film isn’t just good, it’s a visual spectacle that grabs you from the first frame and doesn’t let go until the very end. It’s the kind of movie that makes you say, “Wow, Chinese animation has come a long way!“
Honestly, when it comes to Chinese animated features, I haven’t seen a ton when I first watched this film in 2018 (though maybe a few snuck past me without realizing it were donghua). But Big Fish & Begonia? This is a whole different level. The animation is absolutely stunning, a feast for the eyes that rivals anything I’ve seen from the West or Japan. Think Laika’s Kubo and the Two Strings – beautiful visuals that keep you glued to the screen even if the plot isn’t super tight. Big Fish & Begonia falls into that same category.
Big Fish & Begonia: A Breathtaking Dive into Chinese Donghua
The story itself is a fascinating blend of influences. It’s like The Little Mermaid meets Spirited Away, dipped in a vat of Chinese mythology. Imagine a fantastical world, a sort of mythical Chinese kingdom filled with human-like “spirits” who control the balance of nature. One such resident is Chun, a 16-year-old girl on the cusp of a coming-of-age ceremony. For her big day, she transforms into a crimson dolphin and ventures to the surface world. There, she encounters a human boy and his sister, but things take a tragic turn when she gets caught in a fisherman’s net. The boy bravely rescues her, but drowns in the process.
Overcome with guilt, Chun embarks on a daring journey beyond the boundaries of her village. She seeks out a one-eyed demon known as Lengpo, the Lady of Souls, and strikes a Faustian bargain. She’ll trade half her life force to bring the boy (whom she names Kun) back to life, but there’s a catch (of course, there’s always a catch). Kun will be reborn as a dolphin, and Chun must nurture him until he’s old enough to return to the human world. But here’s the double whammy: not only does she share his pain, but reviving him unleashes a cascade of natural disasters – storms, maelstroms, even snow – threatening to destroy her world. The only one who might be able to help? Her best friend Qiu, who secretly harbors a crush on her.
As I mentioned, the visuals in Big Fish & Begonia are breathtaking. Beyond the animation itself, the film is rich with symbolism, especially when it comes to life and death. There’s a scene where an old man dies and is reborn as a tree, his deceased wife transforming into a peacock that rests on his branches. The character development isn’t the film’s strongest point, but Qiu definitely stands out. He starts off as a playful prankster, but beneath the surface lies a fiercely loyal friend who goes to great lengths for the girl he loves. The rest of the cast is likeable enough, with the exception of a minor villain lurking in a rat-infested sewer (who, honestly, isn’t even that bad). The only minor gripe I have is the sheer number of minor characters – some with only a few minutes of screen time – leaving you wanting to know them better.
The English dub by Studiopolis is well done for the most part. No glaring performance issues, though I did catch a few lines out of sync in the first half-hour. It’s jarring to see a character’s mouth move before the sound actually comes out, but thankfully, that disappears after a while. Overall, the voice acting is solid, with Stephanie Sheh and Johnny Yong Bosch particularly impressive as Chun and Qiu respectively.
Here’s the thing: Big Fish & Begonia might be better described as visual poetry than a tightly woven plot. But that doesn’t mean it lacks heart. This film has a sincerity that somehow manages to win you over, and the bittersweet ending will definitely leave a lump in your throat (mine was overflowing by the time the credits rolled!). Directors Lian Xuan and Zhang Chun poured over 12 years into this project, and it shows.
Apparently, it all started as a wildly successful 7-minute Flash short, but securing funding for a feature-length film proved a major hurdle. The animation studio, B&J, almost shut down, but crowdfunding came to the rescue! Public interest via crowdfunding convinced a Chinese distributor to take a chance, and the gamble paid off. Big Fish & Begonia became a smash hit in China, the second-highest-grossing Chinese donghua ever at the time.
While I wouldn’t say Big Fish & Begonia quite reaches the legendary heights of Studio Ghibli, it doesn’t need to. It just has to be itself and that should be enough. If you’re an animation fan hungry for something visually stunning and emotionally resonant, this film is a must-watch. Every frame is a masterpiece, and the story, though not groundbreaking, will leave you glued to the screen, invested in the characters’ fates.
Here’s the bottom line: Big Fish & Begonia is a triumph of Chinese animation. It’s a visually stunning film with a story that, while not perfect, is full of heart and emotion. It might not be for everyone – those seeking a tightly plotted narrative might find themselves wanting. But for those who appreciate breathtaking visuals and a touch of fantasy, drama and philosophical journey, Big Fish & Begonia is a must-add to your watchlist.
It’s more than just a movie; it’s an experience. So, dive into this captivating world, and prepare to be swept away by the beauty of Big Fish & Begonia. The movie is available on Netflix and Crunchyroll as its official outlet.
Last Updated on June 17, 2024 by Yu Alexius
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