Ne Zha & Nobody: Charting a New Course for chinese Cinema
China’s film industry is actively pursuing diversification and international collaboration, with recent successes like Nobody signaling a shift towards globally appealing narratives. This push is underscored by initiatives like the China Film Pavilion at Tokyo International Film Festival,designed to “deepen international film transactions,foster Sino-foreign cinematic collaboration and enhance mutual cultural gratitude within the global film industry.”
This evolving landscape will be explored at the upcoming “Launch event of the Blue Book of China Film 2025 and the Blue Book of China TV Series 2025,” co-hosted by the China Film Critics Association (CFCC) and Zhejiang University. Professors Xuguang Chen of Peking University and Zhizhong Fan of Zhejiang University will present findings on the “latest achievements of China’s film and television industry.”
nobody, inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, has become a focal point in discussions about this new direction. The film’s success, highlighted in Chinese media over the past year, is attributed to its blend of conventional aesthetics with modern cinematic techniques. According to Chen, the film’s creators deliberately integrated “modern cinematic concepts of space, lighting and color” into a style “rooted in traditional Chinese aesthetics.”
Industry leaders recognize the need to connect with a contemporary audience accustomed to a wide range of content. Chen believes Nobody’s resonance stems from its universal themes. ”At its core, our aim was to tell an engaging story – one whose metaphors and themes deeply resonate with modern audiences,” he stated, emphasizing the film’s focus on “underdogs overcoming adversity” and its ability to allow viewers to “recognize themselves or someone they know” within the narrative.
Chen stresses that technical innovation in Nobody serves the story, not the other way around. “Everything we do in terms of form…is always in service of storytelling, character building and emotional expression.” This approach reflects a “gesture of respect toward both the art of cinema and our audience.”
Looking forward, Chinese filmmakers are increasingly focused on creating stories with global appeal. While Nobody draws inspiration from Journey to the West, Chen emphasizes its broader appeal: “Although the story is rooted in the Chinese literary classic…it is, above all, a story about ordinary people…a story of self-awareness and staying true to one’s inner self.” He concludes that the film’s “humor and joy” make it accessible to audiences “regardless of age or background.”
The CFCC believes broadening international exchange and cooperation is key to integrating Chinese films into the global cinematic landscape, and films like Nobody are leading the way in demonstrating this potential.
