I Am What I Am (2021 film)

I Am What I Am (simplified Chinese: 雄狮少年; traditional Chinese: 雄獅少年; pinyin: Xióngshī Shàonián; Jyutping: Hung4si1 Siu3nin4; lit. 'Male lion boy') is a 2021 Chinese computer-animated comedy-drama film directed by Sun Haipeng.[1][2]

I Am What I Am
Traditional雄獅少年
Simplified雄狮少年
MandarinXióngshī Shàonián
CantoneseHung4si1 Siu3nin4
LiterallyMale lion boy
Directed bySun Haipeng
Written byLi Zelin
Produced by
  • Zhang Miao
  • Cheng Haiming
Edited byYe Xiang
Music byLuan Hui
Release dates
  • 11 December 2021 (2021-12-11) (premium large format)[1]
  • 17 December 2021 (2021-12-17) (wide release)[1]
Running time
104
CountryChina
Languages
  • Standard Chinese
  • Yue Chinese[1]

Plot

A young Chinese lacking self confidence must overcome doubt in order to compete in the Guangzhou lion dance championship.

Controversy

A trailer for I Am What I Am attracted controversy on Twitter in the Western world for being offensive due to the perceived exaggerated slanted eyes of the Chinese characters.[3] Producer Zhang Miao defended the character design as aesthetic confidence as opposed to a traditional Western design of Asian characters in animation.[4][5]

Reception

The movie was widely praised despite its modest box office takings.[6][7]

References
  1. "Xióngshī Shàonián" 雄狮少年 (in Simplified Chinese). Douban. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  2. Zhang Rui (December 19, 2021). "I Am What I Am captures realistic approach for Chinese animators". China.org.cn.
  3. Dudok de Wit, Alex (January 13, 2022). "Controversial Indie Feature I Am What I Am Is Most Popular Chinese Film Of New Year Period". Cartoon Brew.
  4. Dudok de Wit, Alex (December 31, 2021). "'Slanted Eyes' In Chinese Indie Film I Am What I Am Spark Backlash". Cartoon Brew.
  5. "《雄狮少年》回应主角眯眯眼争议：展现审美自信". Sina Corporation. December 17, 2021.
  6. "China's 'lion dance' animation comedy lauded despite tepid earnings". China Daily.
  7. "China's "lion dance" animation comedy leads audience satisfaction survey". Xinhua. Xinhua News Agency.


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