'Lion-dance' hit returns after a three-year hiatus

Three years ago, I Am What I Am, an underdog sports animated film, emerged as a surprise hit for its thrilling portrayal of a youngster striving to win a lion-dance competition. Now, the protagonist, Liu Jiajuan, a timid and slender boy, is set to return to the domestic silver screen in the upcoming sequel.

Directed once again by filmmaker Sun Haipeng, I Am What I Am 2 is scheduled to premiere in domestic theaters on Saturday. Continuing from where the first film left off, Liu leaves his rural hometown in Guangdong province for the bustling metropolis of Shanghai in search of a better job to cover his severely ailing father's medical expenses.

Unexpectedly drawn into a conflict involving the owner of a martial arts club, a young woman, and a nearby modern boxing gym, Liu embarks on a challenging journey to undergo rigorous combat training in a bid to help the owner revive her late father's lifelong business.

During its recent promotional events in Beijing, executive producer Zhang Miao mentioned that director Sun and his creative team have explored the current situation of traditional martial artists and conducted interviews with inheritors from various schools.

Ma Li, president of the China Animation Association, emphasized the cutting-edge animation techniques authentically demonstrating the characters' muscles and bones, making the audience feel like watching live-action competitions.

Huang Jun, president of the China Children's Film Association, expressed being deeply moved by the heartwarming narrative portraying a young man's determined spirit in intense combat in the ring, emphasizing that the film, along with other successful animated productions such as the White Snake trilogy and Chang'an, symbolizes a significant milestone for Chinese animation.