白蛇：缘起
White Snake
An amnesiac snake demon, a snake catcher and a love that defies the centuries
Synopsis
Under the Tang dynasty, the emperor orders snakes to be captured to feed the ambitions of a mysterious master. Sent to assassinate him, the snake demon Xiao Bai fails and loses her memory. She is taken in by Xuan, a young snake catcher.
Together, they set out to find Xiao Bai's past. Their love grows between human and demon, though everything stands between them. To stay by her side, Xuan is ready to give up his humanity, and Xiao Bai promises to find him again in another life.
Directed by Amp Wong and Zhao Ji for Light Chaser Animation, the film was released in China on 11 January 2019. It reinvents the Legend of the White Snake by telling the past life of its lovers. Two films followed: Green Snake (2021) and White Snake: Afloat (2024).
World
The trilogy draws on the Legend of the White Snake, one of China's Four Great Folktales. Demons, humans and Buddhist monks coexist in ancient China: the Tang in the first film, the Southern Song in Afloat, while Green Snake throws its heroine into the City of Asura, a strange modern world.
Power system
Snake demons take human form and wield powerful magic. A jade hairpin from the mysterious Baoqing shop is tied to Xiao Bai's past, and the shop's owner can turn a human into a demon. Facing them, Taoist masters and the monk Fahai try to capture or imprison spirits.
Reception & popularity
With more than 450 million yuan at the Chinese box office, White Snake was a surprise hit and established Light Chaser Animation among the major studios. Green Snake did even better, and the trilogy is praised for the beauty of its 3D and its romance.
My take
White Snake is one of the most beautiful Chinese 3D animated films: misty landscapes, silky costumes and elegant fights. The love story between Xiao Bai and Xuan is simple but moving, and the film stands on its own.
The two sequels change tone: Green Snake is a dark, disorienting action film, Afloat a more classic romantic drama. Not the whole trilogy wins everyone over, but the first film remains a must.
Who is it for?Watch it if you like fantasy romance, Chinese legends and Disney or DreamWorks films.
Main characters
More character profiles are coming.
Trivia
- In Feng Menglong's 1624 story, which fixed the legend, the White Snake's lover is called Xu Xuan; he only becomes Xu Xian in later versions.
- Light Chaser Animation, founded in 2013 by Wang Wei, also produced Chang'an and the New Gods series.
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