Ran Bi Wa

A Story About Fire

This film is based on an ancient legend of the Qiang, an ethnic minority living in the mountainous regions of southwest China. It tells the story of a monkey who grows up among humans and follows the footsteps of his mother, Awubaji, to the Holy Mountain to uncover the secret of warmth. After undergoing many hardships and dangers, the monkey manages to get hold of a fire stone.

His fur burns off and he finally turns into a human being. The film is rendered in the style of traditional Chinese ink painting and poetically envisions life in a prehistoric society. The story of the fire thief addresses timeless themes, such as growth and companionship, which are still important today. With Ran Bi Wa, the legendary Shanghai Animation Film Studio, birthplace of many iconic Chinese animations, is celebrating a triumphant return.

(Source: Berlinale)