Chinese movie| The Legend of Luoxiaohei

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The Chinese animated film The Legend of Luo Xiaohei 2 has recently made headlines by gaining 入围 (rùwéi, to be shortlisted) for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature eligibility list, marking a significant milestone for Chinese animation on the global stage. Let’s dive into this beloved work and explore its charm.

Basic Information

Directed by MTJJ (known as "木头" in Chinese) and written by Peng Kexin, the film is a sequel to the 2019 hit The Legend of Luo Xiaohei. The first film, a surprise success with 283 million yuan at the box office and an 8.0/10 rating on Douban, tells the story of Xiaohei—a young 妖灵 (yāolíng, demon spirit) who loses his home and meets his master Wuxian. The sequel continues their journey: after two years of peaceful life in a village, the Demon Spirit 会馆 (huìguǎn, guild/hall) is suddenly attacked, forcing Xiaohei and Wuxian to investigate new threats.

Artistic Features

What makes the film stand out is its dedication to 2D 手绘 (shǒuhuì, hand-drawn) animation. The team used the "one frame per drawing" technique, creating over 200,000 original sketches for the 119-minute film. This attention to detail gives the animation a smooth, vivid quality. It also blends distinct Chinese elements: 徽派建筑 (Huīpài jiànzhù, Huizhou-style architecture) (with sloping roofs and white walls) and 粤式早茶 (Yuèshì zǎochá, Cantonese morning tea) (like dim sum and tea) appear in key scenes, showcasing Eastern beauty.

International Impact

Beyond its Oscar eligibility, The Legend of Luo Xiaohei 2 has won global acclaim. It grossed over $8 million in North America, breaking the record for Chinese animated films in the region. The first film was even broadcast on Japan’s NHK TV station, where viewers called it a 治愈 (zhìyù, healing) work that transcends cultural barriers. These achievements prove that Chinese animation can 破圈 (pòquān, break through circles) to reach international audiences.

Cultural Significance

At its core, the film explores themes of 共生 (gòngshēng, coexistence) between humans and nature, as well as anti-war messages. Its 东方美学 (Dōngfāng měixué, Eastern aesthetics)—soft colors, poetic landscapes—and the 匠人精神 (jiàngrén jīngshén, craftsman spirit) of its creators (who spent a year designing a 15-second rescue scene) reflect a unique Chinese voice in global animation. It shows that local stories can resonate with people worldwide.

Vocabulary List

入围 (rùwéi, to be shortlisted)
Example: 《罗小黑战记2》成功入围奥斯卡最佳动画长片参评资格。 (The Legend of Luo Xiaohei 2 successfully gained eligibility for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.)

妖灵 (yāolíng, demon spirit)
Example: 小黑是一只可爱的妖灵，拥有强大的力量。 (Xiaohei is a cute demon spirit with powerful abilities.)

会馆 (huìguǎn, guild/hall)
Example: 妖灵会馆是妖灵们的聚集地。 (The Demon Spirit Guild is a gathering place for demon spirits.)

手绘 (shǒuhuì, hand-drawn)
Example: 这部电影使用了纯手绘的动画风格。 (This film uses a purely hand-drawn animation style.)

徽派建筑 (Huīpài jiànzhù, Huizhou-style architecture)
Example: 电影中的村庄充满了徽派建筑的特色。 (The village in the film is full of Huizhou-style architecture features.)

粤式早茶 (Yuèshì zǎochá, Cantonese morning tea)
Example: 我喜欢和朋友一起去喝粤式早茶。 (I enjoy having Cantonese morning tea with friends.)

治愈 (zhìyù, healing)
Example: 这部电影的故事很治愈，让我感到温暖。 (The story of this film is healing and makes me feel warm.)

共生 (gòngshēng, coexistence)
Example: 人类和自然应该和谐共生。 (Humans and nature should coexist harmoniously.)

东方美学 (Dōngfāng měixué, Eastern aesthetics)
Example: 这部动画体现了独特的东方美学。 (This animation reflects unique Eastern aesthetics.)

匠人精神 (jiàngrén jīngshén, craftsman spirit)
Example: 导演用匠人精神打造了这部优秀的电影。 (The director used craftsman spirit to create this excellent film.)

破圈 (pòquān, break through circles)
Example: 这部中国动画成功破圈，受到外国观众的喜爱。 (This Chinese animation successfully broke through circles and was loved by foreign audiences.)

Each word is paired with a simple example to help you understand its usage in context. Enjoy learning!