As an animation film released by Shanghai Animation Film Studio in 1979, "Prince Nezha's Triumph Against Dragon King" is a outstanding representative animated work of the last century that may makes many adults recall their memory of childhood. As a pioneer of Chinese style animation, the studio which produced this animation film might sounds unfamiliar for the younger generation who were born around 2000s like me. However, the form of expression and the message presented by "Prince Nezha's Triumph Against Dragon King" are still so impressive and ahead of time.The film is not only an educational animation that teach children about the hero and justice, but also an meaningful tragic artwork that reflects current social situation. The art expression and message of this old film is very valuable and is ahead of most of today's movie.
The story of Nezha is adapted from a Chinese fantasy novel, "Investiture of the Gods". Since Nezha was built into a children heroic image, his story became popular with children and separately developed into a individual fairy tale for children over time. As one of the most well-known character in Chinese fairy tale, Nezha has always been considered as a unique and disputable figure. Tracing back to the original version of Nezha's story, Nezha is an insolent child who actually provokes the conflict with the Dragon King. He has two magic weapon called Universe Ring and Red Armillary Sash. In the original story he has a seawater bath and intentionally shakes the underwater palace of the Dragon King with his two weapons. Then he killed the yaksha, who means no harm that is just sent by the Dragon to see what happened in the surface.
In order to make the story of Nezha into an appropriate children's film, these evil and unreasonable characteristics of Nezha are deleted in the "Prince Nezha's Triumph Against Dragon King". In the film, the Dragon King is a godlike noble with power and abominable conduct that tyrannizes people. Nezha launches the attack on the Dragon King because he sends yaksha to kidnap little boys and girls as tributes. The changing of the plot build Nezha as a figure of justice and kindheart. However, in the film, we cannot see Nezha's mother presents in his life, as a little child who needs caring, Nezha actually grows up under strict family rule and two killing weapons, which can possibly be the reason why he is such a brave but impulsive young man. The image of Nezha's father Jing is build in a bold and interesting way. The reactions of Nezha and Jing when they face the Dragon King are always in sharp contrast. As the Dragon King comes to Jing's home and denounces him for Nezha's crime, Jing firstly passes the buck and denies humbly by saying that Nezha is only a young child and he cannot possibly do such things. His low attitude portrays him as a coward with great fear of the system's authority. Nezha honestly tells Jing that he did punished yaksha and killed Prince Aobin because they kidnap innocent little girl and refuse to give her back. When Jing learns about Nezha's true reason of doing so, as a significant transition of the film, however, he immediately reprimands Nezha severely for offending the Dragon King and never says a single word about the little girl. Jing is a typical example of adults who are poisoned and brainwashed by the fear of authority. As the head of the house, Jing indeed surrenders to the higher authority to save himself instead of upholding justice by taking the action of blaming Nezha. I clearly remember the feeling when I firstly watch this scene. I was so angry and hated Jing so much because he ignores the fact and blames Nezha unreasonably. The director cleverly arouse audience's sympathy of this little hero and anger towards Jing. The sharp contrast between Nezha and Jing is able to leave deep impression for children, and teach them that they should always uphold justice like Nezha rather than yield to evil like Jing.
However, what happened to the hero who against the system and break the rule? The answer to this question is also the climax of the movies that Nezha finally commits suicide. The tragedy of the little hero Nezha is so realistic that astounds me as well as makes me distressing. Nezha, with great ability and courage, who is supposed be able to overthrow the evil power and bring peace to the people, finally is forced to become the victim of the system. As the son of Jing, Nezha has to obey in order to be filial to his father. In the end of the film, as Nezha is reborn with body made by lotus root and no longer related to his original family and this corrupted system, I sign with all sort of emotions that, "He is truly free now."
The appearance of figure and coloring method present the unique Chinese art style pioneered by Shanghai Animation Film Studio. The representative color choice adapted from ancient China artwork restores a fantastic world of Chinese fairy tale. The background music is also played by traditional Chinese instrument such as suona horn and Chinese zither, which brings this film a sensuous musical score. The film is ravishing to watch and the figures' movements reach a surprising effect of ups and downs.
The messages sent by this children's film from last century are direct and far more impressive than any movie in these days. People will never forget the scene that the little boy stands in the rain and cut his own throat with a sword, with tears gathered in his eyes.
