“White Snake: Afloat”, a cinematic ode to Eastern aesthetics and Chinese romance

On the occasion of Qixi Festival, Chinese Valentine's Day, Chinese animation film White Snake: Above water will grace the screen. The film promises a romantic and visually stunning conclusion to the beloved White Snake Trilogy.

Promotional material from White Snake: Above Water Photo: Courtesy of Light Chaser Animation

Following in the footsteps of the animation blockbuster Chang'an, which grossed 1.82 billion yuan (US$255 million) nationwide in summer 2023, White Snake: Above waterproduced by the same animation company, has already set the bar high for the summer blockbuster season.

The story begins with the protagonist Xiao Bai finally finding Xu Xian, the reincarnation of her beloved Ah Xuan who appeared in the first film. White SnakeTheir fateful encounter on the Broken Bridge near West Lake in Hangzhou, in eastern China's Zhejiang province, during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279) sets the stage for an epic story of love and trials that transcends time and space.

The films are based on a Chinese legend that revolves around the love story between Xu Xian, a respected doctor, and a female snake spirit named Bai Suzhen, who transforms into a charming lady after centuries of practice and cultivation. The story is considered one of the four great folk tales of China.

The anticipation of White Snake: Above water is palpable, with pre-sale and box office revenue reaching 40 million yuan six days before the premiere, according to Chinese ticketing platform Maoyan. This level of excitement is a testament to the ongoing appeal of the White Snake Legend and the creative team's ability to captivate Chinese moviegoers.

At the recent premiere in Beijing, the film's makers gave insights into the creative process. Director Li Jiakai revealed that the new film returns to the beginnings of the classic story.

“We have used our creativity to tell stories before and after the main narrative, and now we are returning to the origin in the hope of telling the main story of the White Snake from a modern perspective,” he said.

The success of the first film White Snakewhich grossed a remarkable 469 million yuan at the box office during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, sets a precedent for the technical and artistic achievements of White Snake: Above water.

The film also premiered near the West Lake in Hangzhou, a cinema event that was a strategic move to link the film industry with local tourism. The promotion of the film is linked to the city's tourism and aims to convert the film's audience into tourists.

The emotional highlight of the premiere was undoubtedly the appearance of the iconic duo from the Chinese TV drama The legend of White Snake played by Cecilia Yip and Angie Chiu. Their presence not only brought back fond memories for the audience, but also underlined the film's ability to evoke a wide range of emotions.

The two actresses announced that White Snake: Above waterThe new take on the classic fairytale is a refreshing approach that may appeal to younger viewers, offering them a new perspective on a timeless love story.

The film draws on traditional Chinese culture, vividly portraying the elegance of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and integrating the essence of Peking Opera into the narrative. This fusion of ancient and modern, of high art and folk storytelling is a hallmark of the film's unique charm.

Ahead of the film's official release, its theme song “Fushengyibai,” which incorporates elements of Peking and Yue opera and is sung by young opera actor Chen Lijun and singer Chen Haoyu, was very popular on social media charts in China. Many viewers told the Global Times that the song's perfect integration with the film's emotional depth and poetic imagery moved them to tears.

Experts who attended the premiere unanimously praised the film and noted that the White Snake The series has always been the focus of attention. They emphasized that the film is completely original in terms of character design and aesthetic style, and embodies Eastern aesthetics, which is rare and beneficial to contemporary aesthetics and cultural shaping.

White Snake: Above water is a cinematic work that combines Chinese folklore, Eastern aesthetics and modern storytelling. It is not just a film, but an experience that resonates with audiences, crosses cultural boundaries and offers a glimpse into the rich diversity of Chinese culture.

The author is a reporter at Global Times. [email protected]