Big Fish & Begonia is a Chinese animated movie by Liang Xuan and Zhang Chun. It’s based on Chinese myths and tells a beautiful story about love, sacrifice, and how everything in life is connected. The film is well-known for its stunning animation and deep emotional moments. I was excited to watch this because it promised a unique mix of fantasy and heartfelt storytelling.
Plot Overview
The story is about a young girl named Chun, who comes from a magical world that exists next to the human world. The people in her world control nature on Earth, but they are not allowed to interact with humans. On her 16th birthday, Chun turns into a red dolphin and swims in the human world as part of a special ritual. While she’s there, a human boy saves her but dies in the process. Feeling guilty, Chun uses her powers to bring the boy back to life as a small fish, which leads to many challenges and consequences for her and everyone around her.
The movie has a lot of fantasy elements and explores themes like love and the cost of breaking the rules of nature. While the story can sometimes feel confusing due to its dreamy style, it still manages to keep you emotionally invested in the characters.
Character Development
Chun is the main character, a curious and kind girl who feels deeply responsible for the boy’s death. Her determination to save him is the driving force of the movie, but her choices often lead to more problems. She’s not a perfect character, but her struggle makes her relatable.
The boy, who becomes a fish, doesn’t have much character development, but he represents the innocence of life and the power of love. Chun’s best friend, Qiu, plays a big role in the story. He loves Chun, even though she doesn’t return his feelings, and he’s willing to sacrifice a lot to help her. His character shows the theme of selflessness and loyalty, which contrasts with Chun’s more complicated feelings.
Every main character in the movie is willing to give something up for the people they care about, which ties into the bigger ideas about love and balance.
Themes and Symbolism
The movie is full of themes about love, sacrifice, and how everything in life is connected. One big idea is that all living things are linked, and every action has consequences. Chun’s decision to save the boy disrupts the natural order, and the film explores how this affects the world around her.
Another key theme is the cycle of life and death. The boy turning into a fish and being reborn shows how life and death are part of the same process. This reflects some important beliefs in Eastern philosophy.
The movie uses a lot of symbols, like water, which stands for life and destruction. The fish represents the fragility of life and our connection to nature. Even the title, Big Fish & Begonia, hints at the relationship between life, love, and the natural world.
Animation and Sound
The animation in Big Fish & Begonia is absolutely beautiful. The colors are vibrant, and the way they show both the magical world and the human world is stunning. The underwater scenes, in particular, are magical and full of detail. The style is similar to Studio Ghibli films, like Spirited Away, where the fantastical and real worlds blend seamlessly.
The soundtrack also adds a lot to the movie. The music is emotional and fits well with the mood of the film. The voice acting is well done, helping to bring out the emotions of the characters.
Personal Opinion
I was impressed by how beautiful it looked and how emotional the story was. However, I felt that the pacing was a bit slow at times, and the story could be hard to follow, especially for those not familiar with Chinese mythology.
Despite some confusion, I really enjoyed the film’s focus on deep themes like love and sacrifice. The ending was both sad and uplifting, leaving me with a mix of emotions. I felt connected to the characters, especially Chun, and appreciated how the movie wasn’t afraid to tackle difficult subjects.
In the end, Big Fish & Begonia is a movie for people who enjoy stories with lots of emotions, beautiful animation, and deep meaning. It might not be for everyone because it moves slowly and requires some patience, but if you like movies like Spirited Away or The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, this is a film that will leave a lasting impression.
