The Uncharted World of Asian Animated Films6 min read
Reading Time: 5 minutesAnimated films tend to be overlooked in film, usually seen by the general public as something catered for children. While most animated films are indeed for younger audiences, I think we can all agree that there have been some movies that have spoken to us older folk.
But animated films seem to be finally getting the credit and attention they deserve – they’re not just films for children but their own compelling art form in their own right. Regardless of your age, there’s bound to be animated films out there that might just surprise you in how they dissect and confront important themes. Here’s a list of some animated films you may not have seen before, but definitely deserve your time.
‘Have A Nice Day 大世界’ (2017) by Liu Jian
Atypical of the usual upbeat and merry atmosphere of animated films, Have a Nice Day gives us a scathing depiction of modern society. Director Liu Jian juxtaposes the bright and blinking neon lights that background the film against a bleak, post-communist society where crime and injustice runs rife.
We follow young Xiao Zhang (Zhu Changlong), who steals a bag of cash from a gang leader to get by. An eclectic ensemble of gang members chase after Xiao Zhang, including a relentless hitman aptly called Skinny (Ma Xiao Feng). We may have heard this kind of story before, where a poverty stricken character has to resort to crime for survival, but what sets this film apart is its sardonic dark comedy.
Cynicism is definitely widespread, with everyone down on their luck and living in a dog-eat-dog world. But Liu Jian resists falling prey to a tired format where everything is just doom and gloom. The pessimism in Have a Nice Day serves to convey an important message – a warning against allowing this kind of society to prevail.
What I love about animated films is that there are a wide variety of art styles that can be explored, and each style can communicate vastly different moods. For example, the 2D art style in Have a Nice Day perfectly conveys the sense of imprisonment in such a bleak and bitter world. It’s also interesting to note that the 2D style kind of mirrors communist propaganda posters, which just goes to show the unique capacity of animated films to address and subvert significant issues.
Have A Nice Day (2017) is available for streaming on Anticipate Pictures.
‘The King of Pigs 돼지의 왕’ (2011) by Yeon Sang-ho
Like the previous entry, The King of Pigs is a dark and gritty portrayal of society and class inequalities. Yeon Sang-ho garnered international attention with this violence-ridden film, winning several awards at the Busan International FIlm Festival and was screened in the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
With the opening shot focused on the body of a dead woman, Yeon immediately immerses you in the bleak reality of the film. But make no mistake, while the brutality in the film will definitely get your attention, The King of Pigs isn’t simply a film about gratuitous violence.
Revolving around the downtrodden lives of Kyung-min (Oh Jung-se) and Jong-suk (Yang Ik-june), the film explores how the claws of inequality have always followed them. They were categorised according to wealth and status even as children, where the ‘dogs’ were the kind of ruling class and the ‘pigs’ were the weaker, tormented ones. Kyung-min and Jong-suk were of the latter, but things take a turn for the worse when they meet the vicious Chul (Kim Hye-na) who eventually becomes crowned “King of the Pigs” because of his brutality. Soon, their situation spirals out of control, testing their own personal values and priorities.
While the animation is certainly well-done, I think the film’s strength lies in its character development and complex writing. Yeon explores an ambiguous morality, where you’re not sure whether the good guys are really the ones we should be rooting for. Despite their adversities, the brutality that they’ve resorted to is so shocking that the lines have been blurred between good and evil.
The King of Pigs is as insightful as it is disturbing, throwing into question just how far we can push the boundaries in order to defeat the supposed oppressors. The King of Pigs gets to grips with some of the darkest corners of the human psyche à la Lord of the Flies, showing just how inequalities can dehumanise people.
Watch The King of Pigs (2011) on Youtube.
‘Battle of Surabaya / November 10th’ (2015) by Aryanto Yuniawan
Southeast Asian cinema has really been proving itself as an impressive force on the international stage, with the release of Battle of Surabaya demonstrating that the animated film industry is also flourishing. Directed by Aryanto Yuniawan, Battle of Surabaya is based on real events in post-World War 2 Indonesia.
The film follows the physical and psychological havoc that the war wrecked on Indonesia, and the nation’s struggle to rebuild itself. Despite the Japanese surrender, the Dutch wanted to maintain their rule over the East Indies. This resulted in the beginning of the Indonesian National Revolution, which had devastating effects on the country and its people.
The thing about war is that the experiences of the common man tend to be neglected in the midst of all the armed conflict. Yuniawan gives an encompassing account of national events, but making it more intimate as we follow 13-year old Musa (Alistair Hendry). Musa lost his father during the war, and is the only one who can provide for his sickly mother with his meagre income as a shoe shiner. The young Musa eventually gets dragged into the revolution, which becomes a turning point in his life.
This is my first encounter with an animated war film, and it was a pleasant surprise. Battle of Surabaya is a unique experience – it’s a novel take on the genre with its animated format. And as someone who isn’t too fond with war movies, this is a welcome change as the visuals make the story just a bit more engaging than your usual war film.
Nevertheless, Battle of Surabaya doesn’t sacrifice realism and regard for the real-life events it’s based on just because it’s an animated film. It’s a thoughtful narration of a difficult and painful past. Battle of Surabaya gives a profound commentary on the ravages of war, with excellent visuals to boot. It’s no wonder that the film garnered numerous awards, including Best Animation in the 2017 International Film Festivals in Milan, Berlin and Nice.
Battle of Surabaya (November 10th) is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Read more:
– A Treasure Trove of Southeast Asian Shorts – Five Picks From the Objectifs Film Library
– Why I Love Asian Horror – From the Perspective of a Scaredy-Cat
