Shout! Studios — the multiplatform film distribution arm of Shout! Factory — has tapped Funimation Films as its US theatrical partner to reel in the widely acclaimed Chinese animated feature Big Fish & Begonia, with screening engagements beginning Friday, April 6. The announcement was made by Melissa Boage, SVP of Family Entertainment at Shout! Studios, and Gen Fukunaga, CEO & Founder of Funimation.
“Big Fish & Begonia is a beautiful epic fantasy adventure, bolstered by exquisite animation and enchanting narrative. We’re incredibly excited about presenting this film to the big screen for animation enthusiasts and broad movie audiences,” said Boag.
This stunning cinematic tale of love and sacrifice, 12 years in the making under directors Xuan Liang and Chun Zhang, blends modern storytelling influences with mythical legends and Chinese literary classics, drawing on the unique aesthetics and traditions of the ancient culture. Already a box office success overseas, Big Fish & Begonia premiered in competition at the Annecy Int’l Animation Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and is selected for this month’s New York International Children’s Film Festival.
Synopsis: There is a mystical race of beings that control the tide and the changing of the seasons. But one of these beings, a young girl named Chun, wants to experience the human world, not simply observe it. When she turns 16, Chun is allowed to transform into a dolphin and explore the human world. However, she soon learns this world is a dangerous place. Chun is nearly killed in a vortex, but saved by a human boy at the cost of his own life. Moved by his kindness and courage, she decides to give the boy life again, but this power comes at a price. Chun will have to face adventure and sacrifice in order to protect the boy’s soul until it is ready to return to the human world.
Rated PG-13, the 105-minute feature will screen in select US cities nationwide in both English (voice cast featuring Johnny Yong Bosch, Fong Sung and Stephanie Sheh) and original Mandarin with English subtitles (Guanlin Ji, Shangqing Su, Weizhou Xu).
You can read more about Big Fish & Begonia in the upcoming April ‘18 issue of Animation Magazine.
