A new animated short titled "Pursue Your Passion" was released in China on the eve of the Paris Olympics to celebrate the Games by incorporating a popular nation animation icon and cultural heritage with sports.

The animated short film "Pursue Your Passion." [Video courtesy of Shanghai Film Infinity]

The short film focuses on the concept of connection and consistently features the classic animated image of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King from China's fantasy epic "Journey to the West," which was designed by Shanghai Animation Film Studio. The roughly two-minute clip showcases the significant impact of sports in connecting people to each other and in bridging different civilizations.

In recent years, sports have transcended the realm of competition and have become a way to enjoy life. Portrayed through a Chinese traditional art aesthetic, "Pursue Your Passion" captures the drive and enjoyment of sports among people from different walks of life. It explores Sun Wukong's clever, brave, optimistic and resolute personality, highlighting the alignment between his pioneering spirit and the ethos of Chinese sports. Additionally, the short wishes participating athletes the best at the 2024 Paris Games, which opened on July 26.

Chief director of the animation Chen Liaoyu explained how they integrated traditional art and modern sports in the film: "When we conceived the expression of sports, we considered the characteristics of each sport itself, what associations the sport brings, and which method, incorporating traditional elements, is most appropriate for expression."

The animation features a variety of sports, including basketball, field hockey, water sports, table tennis and breaking. The basketball segment merges traditional Chinese opera and face painting with basketball, while the field hockey section uses ink painting to showcase women's strength and beauty in sports. The water sports segment, depicted in a vibrant watercolor style, illustrates the public's carefree enjoyment of water activities. Inspired by woodblock Chinese New Year paintings, the table tennis segment depicts a street duel between an elderly man and a young girl, reminiscent of the Monkey King versus Nezha, another popular mythological icon. The breaking segment connects history and modernity, East and West, blending Chinese architectural styles and Dunhuang mural art. Utilizing the symbols of the Monkey King, the segment unites dancers from various nationalities and ages, emphasizing the inclusiveness of Chinese culture and sports' ability to bridge diverse cultures.

A promotional image for "Pursue Your Passion." [Image courtesy of Shanghai Film Infinity]

"The Olympics is a stage to showcase the strength of Chinese sports and culture. We hope to leverage the momentum of this global hotspot to present our cultural traditions and contemporary scenes on the world stage through animation," said Li Zao, the producer and general manager of Shanghai Film Infinity, which maintains China's most treasured animation intellectual properties such as "The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven." The company, the franchise operator under Shanghai Film Group, also has released merchandise co-themed with the Monkey King and China's Olympic national team.

Though only about 2 minutes long, "Pursue Your Passion" is a collaborative effort. Chen Liaoyu took on the role of chief director with each sports segment being directed by emerging and award-winning animation directors, including Tang Lihao, Zhou Fangyuan, Huang Liang, Song Ping, Wei Shilei, Zhao Lin and Chen Kefu.

"Every sport has its own rules, yet it offers athletes limitless possibilities. Therefore, I also hope to provide the greatest possibility space for all artists within the framework of creative rules," said chief producer Cui Wei.