Peking University, March 20, 2023: Renowned Japanese director Makoto Shinkai premiered his latest animated film, Suzume (铃芽之旅), on March 17th at Peking University, marking its debut on the Chinese mainland. The event also featured Zhou Shen, a popular singer who performed the film's Chinese theme song and interacted with students and teachers at the University.
Shinkai is well-known for his profound themes, exquisite emotions, and high-quality animations, with works such as "One more time, One more chance (2007)", and "Your Name (2016)" being particularly popular among Chinese youth. Ahead of the event, a long queue of students had gathered at the ticket office.
PKU students performing at the event
Posters of Suzume
Suzume tells the adventure story of a 17-year-old girl who meets the “Door-Closing Master” and works to enclose the source of a disaster. The film creatively combines Japan's most common natural phenomenon, earthquakes, with the mourning for the loss of towns and lands, exploring the connotation of passing away and its broader impact on humanity and society. Despite the film's sad tone, the director added humor, making for an emotional and entertaining experience for the audience.
During the communication session after movie premiere, Shinkai answered questions from PKU students of different majors, including an overseas Japanese student from the School of Journalism & Communication, who asked about the concept of "seek but not to." Shinkai replied that he enjoys actively pursuing the unknown, such as the "first love" between men and women. A graduate student from the Department of Japanese asked about the role of myth and folklore in movies, to which Shinkai replied that traditional elements still deeply rooted in people's hearts, even in the digital era.
Shinkai answering questions from PKU students
The event also featured other interesting questions, with one student expressing a desire to meet their fate and another asking about how Chinese movies could learn from their Japanese counterparts in portraying folk customs. Shinkai praised the progress of Chinese animated films, noting that he found inspiration for Suzume from the film The Legend of Hei, a Chinese animated film featuring little black cats. He emphasized the value of strengthened cooperation between China and Japan in sharing experiences and developing the film industry.
Zhou Shen performing at the movie premier
Zhou Shen performed the film's Chinese theme song, which received praise from the director. Shinkai expressed his appreciation for the beauty of the Chinese language. As the event drew to a close, Shinkai brought onto the stage a small three-legged chair (a prop in the animated film), symbolizing that while life may have disappointments and regrets, three legs are enough for “standing firm.”
The event not only marked a renewed outlook for the exhibition of foreign films on campus but also reflected the inclusiveness and openness of Peking University, which is to celebrate its 125th anniversary as well as its Global Engagement Year in 2023.
Written by: Fu Jiaqi
Edited by: Meng Bin
Photos by: Zhu Chengxuan, Chu Zhaohan, Ye Renhao, Yang Mo, Fang Zhenghao, Gao Peichao, Yang Ningjie, Khoo Yeu Her, Lean Zhi Xuan
