This 3D-animated feature from China doesn't explore any new territories as it follows the well-known (and cheered by many) formulae of a sports drama combined with a master-apprentice theme. But the way it tells the story, both in terms of narrative and aesthetics, is highly enjoyable. Also, the featured “sport” provides loads of thrilling extravaganza spiced with local and culture-related flavor because the director, Sun Hai-peng, along with the writer Li Zelin, brought the lion dance as the leitmotif.
I Am What I Am is screening at Asian Pop Up Cinema
If you are not familiar with the craft: lion dance is the traditional performing art form known in China plus some other Asian countries (like Korea, Vietnam, or Taiwan), which requires great agility combined with strength, and involves acrobatic elements. Artists usually exhibit their skills on festive occasions, like the Chinese New Year, and the arena is often temple grounds. A “dancing lion” is a teamwork creation: two people don a formidable costume, the first one operates a giant head, and the other the rear part of the creature. They are accompanied by a drummer. Art evolved into a sport, in which designated teams compete on a small circular platform placed on high poles. And this competitive aspect will play a significant part in the script.
Gyun, a modest, meek boy of an inconspicuous posture, for which he is nicked “a sick cat”, lives in a village, while his parents are migrant workers in the city. He admires lion dancers, though doesn't even dream of becoming one, watching the tough, muscular, strong bullies forming a local team. But one day, when he unexpectedly gets a lion head as a gift, everything changes. He recruits two other outcasts, skinny Kat (future rear segment) and chubby Doggie (a drummer), to perform. Then they find a very unlikely teacher, a seller of salted fish, who happens to be a former lion dancer of great talent. With this kind of team of underdogs, it becomes a story of overcoming one's weaknesses, not judging a book by its cover, and believing in yourself.
As already mentioned, not many surprises come from the story. We all know how it unwinds and what we may expect in a climax (though it totally nails the formula!). The compact 90-mins narrative form enforces simplifications and narrows what requires years of training and practice to several weeks of humorous grapples. Nevertheless, the emotions are tense and dense, and the scenes of the lion dancing stun. The sole bewildering beauty of each frame makes this movie a must-watch. The usage of lighting and colors in mimicking nature's beauty, and attention to small details in the background (like moths attracted by the light), is a top-notch work. When it rains, you almost feel the drops falling, and similarly, you experience the warmth of sunshine. And the emotional expression on the characters' faces seems very realistic.
“I Am What I Am” under its sparklingly entertaining façade smuggles some social problems: the class divisions resulting in children growing up without the presence of parents, the matter of fulfilling family obligations instead of pursuing personal dreams, and education pushed back due to economical reasons. As a result, it blends laughter and tears, slapstick, and pathos, but the mixture is balanced well.
Unfortunately, the depiction of Doggie is very problematic. He is shown only through the lens of his overweight, clumsy, often thinking of food, and some scenes involving his body are fat shaming. Also when an otherwise supportive lion dance teacher comments that Kat (another trio member) resembles a monkey it rings alarm bells as well. Young audiences should be taught respect regardless of someone's looks and that there's no space for body shaming. So be cautious to address that issues when watching it with kids. Another flaw is that female characters' presence is almost nonexistent, despite that the opening sequence promised otherwise.
But the abovementioned flaws shouldn't discourage you from watching. The dynamics, catchy tunes, beauty of the animation, wonderful mixture of universal values and indigenous traditions, and last but not least: the love for lion dance, make it a memorable watch.
PS Do not miss a post-credit scene.
