Chinese animation has been making significant steps forward during the latest years, trying to find a space of its own in the international circuit, away from the dominating Japanese anime. “Mountain Spirits”, a short produced by students of CUC, the Communication University of China, proves the fact in the most eloquently manner.
“Mountain Spirits” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
The 9-minute movie begins with a car stopping in the woods, and a man going out, immediately smelling something. It is soon revealed that it is the smell of a meal prepared in his house, where he has returned with his wife and children to visit his relatives. His son, Xiaowen, goes out for a hike in the woods, and after painting on a stone statue, he returns back in a hurry, to let know his father, Nan, and his grandfather, that he saw a strange creature in the woods. His “declaration” brings back Nan's memories, who has also stumbled upon the creature when he was a little boy, with the two eventually becoming friends. After this point, the movie unfolds like a magical tour guide in the woods and down memory lane.
“Mountain Spirits” can be easily described as an ode to nature, with the magical lyricism brought on by the rather appealing creatures working excellently for the narrative, also because it is eventually revealed that a number of other creatures are actually living in the woods. The blooming of the flowers, the way Nan saves the little elf initially, the fireflies around the tree, the dangerous looking cow, and the final goodbye are all quite memorable scenes here, not only for the overall artistry, but also for the emotions they evoke, with the use of music in that regard being excellent.
This artistry extends to both the animation, with the moves of the characters having an excellent flow that also moves in realistic paths, and the drawing, with the water-painting style of the background occasionally being a wonder to watch, both in the forest and in the woods. Lastly, the parallel montage that brings both Nan as a kid, and him and his son together in the same place, is also rather well done.
The message the directors seem to communicate is a bittersweet one. As people, just like Nan, have moved away from the country, the magic of nature has also withered, as exhibited in the creatures that are not that easy to find anymore. At the same time, the very ending leaves a sense of hope that not everything is gone, as long as people continue to search for nature, both literally and metaphorically.
“Mountain Spirits” is an excellent animation short, quite pleasant to both eye and ear, and testament to the quality of Chinese animation.
