Poverty-stricken Daguzi encounters a child - Mantou - floating downstream at the river bank, he decides to take him by his side as his son, with compassion and affection.
Cinematography
Water animation that makes Studio Ghibli sweat.
Acting
Chen Hao's gruff warmth breaks the language barrier.
Practical Effects
Hand-painted textures hiding in digital frames.
Director
Busifan
Chen Hao
Daguzi (voice)
Xingliner
Liu Ziyan / Xiao Xi Ling (voice)
He Ziqian
Mantou (voice)
Liang Sheng
Liu Dale / Long'er Soldier (voice)
Joseph
Liu Dahuan (voice)
Li Nan
Captain (voice)
Zhang Yunqi
Xiao Lou (voice)
Lu Qi
Night Feather Goose (voice)
Ling Qi
Nightling Man Eagle / Long'er Soldier (voice)
Huan Ting
Little Monkey (voice)
Yuze Han
Long'er Soldier (voice)
Nan Yu
Long'er Soldier (voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Busifan spent 8 years on this, self-funded after studios rejected 'another poor dad movie.'
The river's flow direction changes based on Daguzi's emotional state — check the opening vs. climax.
CN
