Xiong shi shao nian

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.

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.

The Music/Songs: There are many original songs composed for this movie, they fit in each scenes very well and resembles the emotion correspondingly. I appreciate those songs even better by reading the lyrics, those words came from down-to-the-earth people's lives and reflects ordinary people's fighting spirit when they denying their destinies.

The screen shots/storyboard: Since this is an anime movie, there are many astonishing scenes with soothing great nature, or powerful actions, or emotional twists of our protagonist's life. I love how these are written down as cut-scenes and directed by the director, and eventually how they are presented in the movie.

Many scenes touched me in the heart.

Traditions, nostalgia and culture: You can get the awe-inspiring scenery from a Chinese traditional village, their life styles in the 90's and the beautiful nature. And you also get the cold and the ruthless from arising big cities where the poor are struggling with lives. These are the common memories of a whole generation.

Tiger dancing is a tradition that comes down from many generations before us but is also fading away with modernization of China. Here you can feel both the passion and sorrow from this transition.

The plot: It's really an easy story, there is no sideways to understand the plot and I think this makes this movie a no-brainer to recommend to anyone who wants to learn a little more about a Chinese tradition and an inspiring story of a child who defies his weakness and stands up as a man.

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.

Storyline is clear and concise, music is good, characters are vividly impressive. 10 out 10 in my mind. The product is impressive in an era when hundreds of garbage movies are flooding in the market just to make a quick buck.