How a ‘rough’ and ‘crude’ Chinese cartoon ox went from box office zero to hero
A raw, handcrafted Chinese animation has become an unlikely box-office sensation despite being widely panned by critics and social media users. Niu Lai, or The Arrival of the Ox, has been criticised for its “rough” and “broken” style and a plot that many viewers found hard to follow. But the film has generated some of the loudest online discussion in recent days, despite the competition from two…
A Chinese animation called Niu Lai, or The Arrival of the Ox, has unexpectedly become a massive box office success despite receiving harsh criticism from both critics and viewers. The film's rough, crude style and confusing storyline have not deterred audiences, as it has sparked intense online discussions even amidst the competition from two high-profile Hollywood releases: Christopher Nolan's epic adaptation of The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
The buzz surrounding Niu Lai can be attributed to its analog nature, which stands in stark contrast to the increasingly popular AI-generated images in the industry. Despite being a low-budget production by just two people, Xin Yumeng, the director, and Sun Lifang, the scriptwriter, the film's popularity has even caught the attention of some investors who are comparing it to a bull market, a term used for a buying frenzy that drives up share prices.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
