Li Wenyu, an instructor at Sichuan University's College of Arts and director of the Berlinale-selected animated film 'A Story About Fire (Ran Bi Wa)', says, "I'm always fascinated by the language of animation." His passion shines in every brushstroke.
During his postgraduate studies at Peking University, Li was mentored by Professor Ma Kexuan, a master of traditional ink-wash animation from the Shanghai Animation Film Studio. This grounding sparked a deep love for classical Chinese aesthetics, where each drop of ink tells a story.
In 'A Story About Fire', Li reimagines an ancient Qiang legend (an ethnic community in Sichuan 🏔️) using fluid brushstrokes and modern digital tools. Imagine hand-painted frames brought to life on your smartphone—pure magic!
The result is a mesmerizing short that bridges tradition and tech: you can almost feel the crackle of ancient fires and hear the mountain winds, all through your screen.
Selected by the Berlin International Film Festival, 'A Story About Fire' is making waves globally, proving that timeless tales and traditional art can thrive in our digital age. 🔥🌍
For art lovers, folklore fans, and indie animation buffs, Li Wenyu’s work reminds us that the past and the future can share the same canvas—one brushstroke at a time. 🎥✨
Reference(s):
Reimagining an ancient legend of the Qiang with ink-wash animation
cgtn.com
