Kung FU Mulan Will Focus More on Individuality Unlike the Recent Live-in Action Adaptation

Directed and Produced by Chinese filmmakers, Kung Fu Mulan is an animated film that was recently released in China. It explores the Ballad of Mulan with a new perspective. The latest movie is made with a focus on traditional values to make it more appealing to the Chinese audience. The $200 million live-in action remake that recently failed to entertain and crashed in Chinese Box Office is proof that the western interpretation of the Chinese culture, traditions and values has been unsuccessful in resonating with the audience. Kung Fu Mulan is aimed to fix that and make a great film that the mainland audience can enjoy.

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Gold Valley film released the movie on October 3. The producers believe that even though Chinese people were happy when the 1998 Mulan came out since it did have a great story, most of them felt that the protagonist seemed more American than Chinese. They were aware that the budget that they have is nowhere in comparison to the live-in action adaptation, but they still wanted to make a film that resonated with the taste and form of expressions of the Chinese audience. Knowing that people today put more value on individuality the makers of Kung Fu Mulan are focused on exploring what the protagonist wanted for herself aside from all the responsibilities that she was carrying on her shoulders. 

The American perception that Mulan needs to be more traditional with greater emphasis on duty and honor to succeed don’t understand that this assumption is entirely wrong. The audience, according to COO of Golden Valley, believes that people expect movies and shows to update their stories to align more with the struggles of young people in today’s world. He gives the example of the protagonist of Nezha whose personality was rooted in contemporary struggles. The movie went on to become second-highest-grossing Chinese movie of all time earning $720 million, so maybe COO Allen Tsang does have a good point. 

The patriotism of the protagonist is portrayed as an essential element of her individualism. The filmmakers make the case that she opts to express her individuality by putting the interest of her country first. Karen Luo, the producer of the film, remarks that in America, individual choice is not aligned with the national interest; instead, it’s more of an expression of someone’s desire. However, that is not the case with China where personal choices are more tied with the responsibility one has for one’s homeland and fellow countrymen.  

Although one can compare the individual choice to put the nation first in Chinese culture to the motivations that American movie characters have while fighting space invaders or supernatural beings to ensure the safety of their loved ones and country. However, there are other aspects to the Chinese version of the idea since it stems from the Confucian notion that one has a parallel relationship with their family and the state which motivates people for voluntary sacrifice. 

The success of Nezha made the filmmakers and producers excited about the rise of Chinese animated movies. Now there is a new confidence that China might just be able to outsmart Pixar and Dreamworks movies at the box office. The latest release Zhang Ziya: The Legend of Deification seems to be a huge hit as well, and it has instilled confidence in the Chinese animated movies again. Whether Kung Fu Mulan will be able to succeed or not, that remains to be seen, but one thing is certain that we can expect to see more of Chinese animated movies in the future.

Sakht Martin is an avid technical blogger, a magazine contributor, a publisher of guides at mcafee.com/activate, and a professional cybersecurity analyst. Through her writing, she aims to educate people about the dangers and threats lurking in the digital world.