San ge he shang

The literal translation of the title of this movie is: three monks.

This animation is a masterpiece of social satire and although it was made nearly a quarter century ago, its criticism still applies today. The hidden target of criticism is the massive Chinese bureaucracy that are extremely inefficient and ineffective: so many people are hired but nobody does any job because everyone wanted somebody else to do the job, just like the way those three monks expecting others to get the water.

This animation is unique in that unlike most animations, it does an excellent job of getting its point across without any spoken words, the audience who does not speak any Chinese can easily understand it just as good as Chinese.

Three monks, each of different size and temperament live on hilltop monastery. The need to go down to the sea to get water, but they are inefficient and lazy., wanting to drink but not wanting to help. Resentment begins to rear its head as they all act individually. There is a life lesson here and it doesn't take long to realize it.