I Am What I Am (2021 film)

I Am What I Am (simplified Chinese: 雄狮少年; traditional Chinese: 雄獅少年; pinyin: Xióngshī Shàonián; Jyutping: Hungsi Siunin; lit. 'Male lion boy') is a 2021 Chinese animated comedy-drama film directed by Sun Haipeng and distributed by Beijing Splendid Culture & Entertainment Co., Ltd. The film tells the story of Gyun, a left-behind teenager in a remote village, who forms a lion dancing team with his best friends, Mao and Gou, and eventually wins a lion dancing competition.
The film was released in China on December 17, 2021 with a positive word-of-mouth, but suffered from controversy among Chinese netizens due to the style of the character designs, which affected the box office. A sequel, I Am What I Am 2, was released in 2024.
Gyun, an 18-year-old boy, is inspired to pursue lion dancing after meeting a skilled dancer at a festival. He forms a team with his friends and trains under Qiang, a former lion dancer. Despite struggles, including his father's accident and financial hardships, Gyun continues practicing while working in Guangzhou. He rejoins his team just in time for a lion dancing tournament, where they compete against strong rivals. In the final round, Gyun attempts the impossible by aiming for the Sky Pillar, securing his team's victory. The story ends with Gyun's father waking from a coma, and Gyun embracing his future.
A trailer for I Am What I Am attracted controversy on Weibo for being offensive due to the perceived exaggerated slanted eyes of the Chinese characters. Producer Zhang Miao defended the character design as aesthetic confidence as opposed to a traditional Western design of Asian characters in animation.
The film was released in China on December 17, 2021, and was produced and distributed by Beijing Splendid Culture & Entertainment Co., Ltd. in digital 2D, IMAX 2D, China Giant Screen 2D, and CINITY 2D. In December 2021, the film was included in the fifteenth batch of the Chinese National Copyright Administration's warning list for copyright protection of key works of the year 2021. On December 28, 2021, the production team officially announced the addition of a digital 2D Cantonese version.
The movie was widely praised despite its modest box office takings. Peter Debruge of Variety called it a "ridiculously satisfying underdog sports story", saying, "The result is an inspired mix of engineering and ingenuity, distinguished by some of the most human character animation this side of the uncanny valley — not realistic, mind you, but relatable, and a welcome departure from the cutesy cartoony-ness of Pixar and its American ilk. [...] While I Am What I Am clearly speaks to various national-identity issues, the feelings represented are universal. There’s something to be said for how it celebrates characters from the bottom of society, like working-class Juan."
In CBR, Reuben Baron wrote, "20 years ago, a film that looks like I Am What I Am couldn't exist. What makes [it] downright groundbreaking on top of being gorgeous is that it was a low-budget independent production. For an indie to surpass even the stunning work bigger-budget animated films have accomplished [...] feels like as big a deal for CG films as District 9 and Ex Machina were for indie special effects. [...] Those curious about the future of independent animation will find a lot to appreciate when they get the chance to see it."
The sequel, I Am What I Am 2, was released in 2024; its footage was first released at the 2023 Beijing Spendid Annual Launch. In order to earn money for his father's medical treatment, Gyun, a nobody who comes to Shanghai for work, agrees to participate in the “Shanghai Fight Night” martial arts competition on behalf of the declining Chuanwu Kung Fu Gym, for which he has to overcome all the masters, prejudices and himself.
The book I Am What I Am, published by Shanghai Translation Publishing House in 2023, is adapted from the animated film of the same name released at the end of 2021. The author is Li Zelin.
The novel tells the story of Gyun, a left-behind youth who is often bullied. Driven by his passion for lion dancing, he forms a lion dance team with his friends Mao and Gou. Under the training of Qiang, they endure many challenges, transforming from “sick cats” into “lions.” This realist work not only celebrates the dreams of ordinary people in extraordinary times but also praises the indomitable spirit of young people who refuse to give in and fight against fate.
On October 10, 2023, the cast of the Mandarin premiere of the musical I Am What I Am was officially announced. This musical, adapted from the Chinese animated film of the same name, is an original production by the Guangzhou Opera House. It highlights Lingnan’s lion dance culture, local customs, and the enduring spirit of hard work and perseverance characteristic of the Guangfu culture.
The show stars Fang Shujian, Guo Hongxu, Chen Keming, Jordan Chan, Kit Chan, and others. It will have its national premiere at the Guangzhou Opera House from January 11 to 14, 2024.