A producer told China.org.cn in an exclusive interview that he and seven Chinese indie animators did something unique and unprecedented when they created "To the Bright Side," the first anthology animated film in China based on children's picture books.

Wang Lei, an animation veteran and current CEO of Benlai Pictures has produced and promoted some of the biggest animated blockbusters such as "Pleasant Goat And Big Big Wolf," "McDull, Kung Fu Kindergarten," "Boonie Bears: The Big Top Secret" and "Kung Fu Brothers" since devoting himself to the genre back in 2004. Simply put, he's always wanted to do something good for young children by creating really "nutritious" content.

However, it was his own child who led him to all new territory and the source of his future projects, illustrated picture books, which tend to evoke an author's unique style but primarily serve educational purposes for pre-schoolers. "I found a treasure trove. There's so much great content to explore and develop."

The first picture book Wang and his team acquired the rights for was the award-winning "Little Rabbit's Questions," in which Chinese brush painting naturally and artfully depicts sweet moments between the titular rabbit and his mother. To promote the book, its publisher China Welfare Institute Publishing House ran the slogan, "Painting love and beauty into the book."

Inspired by that slogan, Wang began to wonder, "What if we can film love and beauty into a movie so that more parents and children can see it?" Unfortunately, picture book stories tend to be relatively short, and Wang was left wondering how they could be extended into a feature film. He found his answer in 2019 when he saw the patriotic anthology blockbuster "My People, My Country," which gave him the idea of piecing together an anthology film from various stories that resonated with him.

He combed through hundreds of original picture books, hoping to capture themes of "love and beauty," and eventually settled on seven titles. Much to Wang's surprise, however, when he approached traditional animators about joining the project, they turned him down calling it "too quiet, too short, too erratic," and saying it lacked market potential without famous characters like Nezha and the Monkey King.

"They asked me, 'what can you sell to the market for this?' They were even more worried than I was."

Despairing over the reception to his idea, Wang visited the indie animation event, Feinaki Beijing Animation Week, where he found a whole new world of award-winning indie animators. He said their unique work, styles and details were impressive, adding, "these young people do not bow down to money. They keep their own ways and do things that they love."

With the help of event organizers, Wang sent offers to the talented indie animators, who responded in kind with their own visions of how his film could be executed. Following a round of mutual selection, Wang settled on seven directors – Lan Xiya, Li Nianze, Zhao Yi, Yu Kun, Liu Gaoxiang, Liu Maoning and Chen Chen – each of whom would be responsible for producing one of the anthology's seven short films. 

As China's major animation studios continue to learn from the mature industrial creation processes of Japanese and American studios, Wang said his film's production process was also different. "Several short films are totally hand-painted or done using stop-motion. They are small teams respectively, doing them in a workshop way."

In June last year, creators watched the final cut during an internal screening, immersing themselves in the restorative animations and celebrating its materialization. "I think it is unprecedented in China and even in the world for an anthology animated film based on picture books to have a theatrical release. It is so special," Wang said. 

"To the Bright Side" was screened during last year's Beijing International Film Festival and, after some delays due to COVID-19, finally premiered Jan. 8. It has been released nationwide Jan. 15. The audience's response has been overwhelmingly positive and heartwarming, enchanting children and adults alike. During the premiere, a 30-year-old viewer said he wanted to call his mother after watching the film, while a young mother said she understood that parents' companionship with their child is the best education. 

"Their words were heartening and gave me confidence. That's all I want for this film, which can deliver messages of healing, education, and love to parents and children. I would give this film 80/100. Most of all, it is a sincere effort."

Wang said his company wants to create similar animated films for younger audiences in the future, and he is encouraged by animated blockbusters from "Monkey King: Hero is Back," "Ne Zha," and "White Snake," to the most recent "I Am What I Am," all of which are a testament to China's booming animation industry. 

"The rise of Chinese animation is just beginning," Wang said. "Behind the rise, it's really the rise of Chinese culture and Chinese education. Our film also gives a platform to China's indie animators. Good work can really touch Chinese people and I believe, can also touch the world."

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