Boundary guardian beasts from Ne Zha 2Photo: Courtesy of Douban

TheMK sports Korea Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2has achieved groundbreaking success, shattering multiple box office records. With widespread attention, its stunning reinterpretation of ancient Chinese cultural relics, such as the bronze wares from Sanxingdui, enhances the fantasy elements and has captivated large audiences, serving as the film's crowning touch.

One of the most remarkable features of the film is the inclusion of actual historical relics, including depictions of Sanxingdui's golden and bronze masks, and the famed Rui He Tupainting from the Song Dynasty (960-1279). These treasures, rooted in thousands of years of Chinese history, have been transformed into visual elements within the animation, enhancing both the narrative and the cultural depth of the story.

As the film premiered in Los Angeles, the US and screened in Australia on Monday, it will also officially be screened in dozens of countries, and the artifacts included in the film are set to meet more global audience.

Bringing artifacts to screen

A pair of mythical "boundary guardian beasts" are inspired by the golden and bronze masks excavated from the Sanxingdui Ruins in Southwest China's Sichuan Province. These two creatures, although comical in appearance and somewhat lacking in intelligence, provide much-needed humor and appeal to the audience. 

The humor and endearing qualities of these creatures, which bear the distinct, oversized bronze masks characteristic of Sanxingdui, create an accessible and engaging link between the viewer and the ancient artifacts.

"We are delighted to see elements of Sanxingdui culture creatively presented in popular cultural products," said a staffer at the Sanxingdui Museum. "This reflects the powerful vitality and modern relevance of traditional Chinese culture," according to local media outlet scol.com.cn.

Another prominent artifact from the film is the Tianyuan Ding, used by the characters to refine potions. Its design is inspired by the bronze cauldrons of the Shang (c.1600BC-1046BC) and Zhou (1046BC-256BC) dynasties, which were symbols of power and prestige in ancient China. In the film, it is not just a functional object but also a nod to the rich history of ancient craftsmanship, and the importance of ritual in Chinese society.

When Ne Zha came to the Yuxu Palace, there was a flock of cranes, with two of the cranes landing on the palace's roof, a scene directly inspired by the Rui He Tu(Auspicious Cranes), a legendary traditional Chinese painting masterpiece created by Zhao Ji (1082-1135), also Emperor Huizong during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).

"Contemporary art, including animation, has consciously embraced, recognized, and creatively utilized many elements like artifacts from traditional culture, making artworks more vibrant, dynamic, and culturally confident, with greater international influence," Liu Zheng, a member of the China Cultural Relics Academy, told the Global Times.

Bronze heads displayed at the Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan, Southwest China's Sichuan Province Photo: VCG

As Ne Zha 2premiered in Los Angeles on Monday, overseas reactions have been positive as witnessed on social media. Currently, the film is seeing a surge in presale tickets in North America, according to CCTV.

Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, told the Global Times, based on the promising overseas presales of Ne Zha 2, "it is likely to become the next successful film to 'go global.'"

"The film blends both local and cross-cultural elements, with its narrative and emotional depth resonating with audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds. At the same time, it emphasizes the uniqueness and local identity of Chinese culture through cultural symbols and storytelling," Liang Junjian, an associate professor at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times. 

According to Liang, this approach is not only seen in Ne Zha 2but is also a common creative strategy among many successful global films. "It is these cultural elements and traditional mythological references that give the film its distinct cultural identity and unique artistic appeal."

Alive on the screen  

In fact, incorporating elements of Chinese artifacts or archaeology has been a common practice for Chinese dramas and films. "Through unique storytelling and innovative audiovisual formats, they bring cultural relics and archaeology into the public eye in a fresh new way, enriching people's imagination of historical and cultural heritage," Liang noted.

In the 2019 film Ne Zha 1, for example, ancient relics were featured, including drinking vessels inspired by the Majiayao culture, an ancient Chinese civilization dating back more than 5,000 years, as well as ritual vessels from the Shang Dynasty.

In addition to the Ne Zha series, films like CZ12: Chinese Zodiacdramatize stories around renowned cultural relics, offering audiences a sensory experience while inspiring them to explore the historical narratives behind the artifacts.

Documentaries such as Rediscover Sanxingduiare helping to bring Chinese archaeological discoveries to a wider audience. It follows the new round of archaeological excavations at the Sanxingdui Ruins and has played an important role in spreading awareness about this ancient civilization both within China and internationally.

When cultural heritages are adapted for cinematic purposes, it is essential that these transformations are done with "respect and accuracy," Liang emphasized. The adaptation of cultural relics for film must adhere to both the integrity of the "original artifacts and the overall narrative of the film." 

"The introduction of cultural elements should not feel forced or out of place but should serve to enrich the storytelling process," he remarked.

In recent years, films like Legend of the Demon Catand White Snake, which tell traditional Chinese stories and showcase the charm of Chinese culture, have received widespread acclaim from international audiences.

"These successful 'go global' examples demonstrate that China's rich traditional culture provides filmmakers with abundant creative potential and emotional power, serving as both the foundation and driving force behind the global expansion of Chinese cinema," Sun said.