Xiong shi shao nian

A nice story with a straightforward story plot. Some funny moments but might be insensitive at times, so should watch without overthinking it. Quite like the actions although it might be a little fast. Good show of characters.

I finally had the chance to sit down and watch I Am What I Am, a Cantonese animated film that has been in my collection for some time. Watching the story of Ah Juan, I couldn't help but see myself in him-a "stubborn dreamer," as described in the Cantonese song by Wan Kwong. Like Ah Juan, I am someone who refuses to give up and persistently chases my dreams.

Ah Juan's Story and My Connection

Ah Juan is a boy from a rural village in Guangdong. Despite going through a heartfelt and inspiring lion dance journey, the film ends with him remaining a struggling worker in the city. This made me reflect: What does striving for success truly mean? Has his hard work really changed his destiny? The material hardships of his life remain, but his dreams and inner strength have become more real and empowering.

This lion dance journey is like a shot of courage. While it doesn't immediately lift him out of poverty, it grants him a force that transcends material limitations-a sense of self-realization and identity. This resonates deeply with my own life. Growing up in a small town in Chongqing, moving north for education, working hard in Guangdong, and now pursuing my dreams in Japan, I see parallels in our stories. While my environment hasn't drastically changed, the growth of my inner strength and determination is something I choose to cultivate.

Competition and Pure Kindness

The competitive scenes in the film feel raw and authentic. Behind the lion dance tournaments lie layers of strategy and rivalry, mirroring the harsh realities of society. However, when Ah Juan challenges the towering pole that symbolizes the pinnacle of the competition, his rivals abandon their competitiveness and genuinely cheer for him. That moment touched me deeply. Though they remain rural kids, their pure goodwill shines through, showcasing the beauty of human nature.

This scene gave me a glimmer of hope for Chinese society. Even though I chose to "run away" and start anew abroad, my love for that land and its culture remains. I still believe in the kindness and hope inherent in our people and traditions.

A Remarkable Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack is another standout feature. A blend of Cantonese, Mandarin, and other dialects, the music perfectly complements the story. The stirring and uplifting melodies amplify the determination of the young lion dancers, adding a rich emotional layer. The music feels like an integral part of the characters, syncing with their heartbeat and dreams, making their aspirations shine even brighter.

Conclusion

I Am What I Am is more than just a story about lion dancing; it's a tale for every dreamer. Even if our circumstances don't change overnight, the struggles we endure bring our lives depth and strength. Like Ah Juan-and like the "stubborn dreamer" I see in myself-I will continue steadfastly on my journey of chasing dreams.

Among the few Chinese cartoons that can be evaluated as the best, it has been severely polarized in China due to squinting. I don't quite understand why the Chinese people are so tolerant of the quality of the picture, the soundtrack, the plot, and the thoughts that are not as good as the cartoons of this anime? When a superstar is rising, are we more fair and objective?

I feel the same way as all charactors in movie and burst into tears.

The technical level is almost perfect in my opinion, and all the flaws in character modeling are finally understood as the need to shape the characters who are look like ugly, but it feels real, as if the people around me may even be myself.

Overall, this inspirational story of people at the bottom sublimated a legend which give me so many Better than expected, more important, it returned to reality at the end of story which made me more sober instead of dreaming. It made me believe that this story could have happened in reality. Of course, the people at the bottom still need to face the harsh reality. It reminds me: Life is going on as before that is not overshadowed by the passion of Inspirational story.

Extremely clever logic!

And Great fit music! The images and scenes presented in the story are full of Lingnan style (the area near Foshan, Guangdong Province, the hometown of Yip Man). It makes me miss Hong Kong cinema at its best in the 1990s. Unique, fresh and full of tradition.

I think it is totally wrong about the bad review that come from some amateur peoples, who said that the appearance of characters in this film is discriminates against Chinese looks. What's the matter of this world! I mean,how is that possible Chinese discriminate Chinese. It's obviously a disgusting frame!what I hope is that there is no need to criticize others and others 'works,we should focus on the spirit and meaning that author truly desperate to convey.the prejudice we heard should be reconsidered . Don't follow others,follow yourself ,follow the feeling that your heart feel so,that's it. Art is subjective.