Hong Kong – An English-filled version of the world’s best-selling animated film, “Ne Zha II,” a Chinese blockbuster hit, has been released in the US with an audio cast that includes Michelle Yeo.
Inspired by Chinese mythology, the film opened in more than 2,500 American theatres on Friday. It’s the latest in a wave of successful animation featuring Asian culture, including Netflix’s recent hit, “KPOP Demon Hunters.”
The sequel to the hit film Ne Zha II, released in 2019, tells the story of a child Demigod named Ne Zha, who rebels against the innate demons and chooses to use his magical powers and martial arts skills to protect humanity from dragons and other enemies.
Yo, a Malaysian actor and fluent mandarin speaker, said that when he first saw the film in Hong Kong, he found it difficult to follow the English subtitles during some of the more epic scenes. She left the theater thinking she needed to dub it in English.
She was later called to ask if she wanted to express the English-covered version of Ne Zha’s mother, Lady Yin, as distributed by A24. The New York-based independent film company is known for its productions such as “Moonlight” and “Every Place, Every Place.” This is the 2022 film in which Yo became the first Asian to win an Academy Award for Best Actress.
“Hell yes,” Yo said in response. Calling the film “beautiful way,” he crossed the cultural bridge between the east and west.
“It was a universal language for family, love, losers, and people who were exiled, and it was misunderstood because you were born,” she told The Associated Press.
Since its release in mainland China in January, “Ne Zha II” has become the fifth-highest growing film ever, just behind James Cameron’s “Titanic.” In February, it surpassed Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” as the world’s most-selling animated film.
It was also the first non-Hollywood film to earn over $2 billion worldwide, most of which came from China’s box office revenue.
Directed by Sichuan-born Yang Yu, the film, also known as Jiaozi, draws public pride in China when people from state-run newspapers praise their commercial success as a “confident country fruit.”
Many schools, state-owned businesses and government agencies across China are actively organising group viewing for “Ne Zha II” in celebration of what is considered a milestone in China’s animation.
The success of “NE ZHA II” is driven by both the Chinese animation industry and the maturity of “full support” to enhance the country’s soft power and cultural exports, says Zeng Hong, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Film at Hong Kong Baptist University.
The English-covered version may be better than the Chinese release, which won around $20 million over previous Chinese subtitles, including English subtitles, but Zeng said if “Ne Zha II” is successful with international audiences, it is likely to come from domestic acclaim and novelty rather than genuine interest in Chinese mythology.
Zeng said he hopes that some reviews in the US will criticize the film as Chinese propaganda, but other viewers may just look at it out of curiosity.
Kevinma, a veteran film industry observer based in Hong Kong, said in his latest release it is another challenge facing “Nezai II.”
MA, who is also a consultant at the festival, said the new film only took a month or two before moving to the streaming platform.
“Ne Zha II” only came out earlier this year, but it appears “like a distant memory of the moment” because of the “slow attention” of consumers in the streaming era.
The Associated Press contributed.
