It can be translated as The Child of Time
Didn’t expect to watch this animated film at first, but it’s quite nicely done. The golden age of animation in China, is back! In fact, it used to be at its prime and inspired those in Japan, including Hayao Miyazaki — the giant of 2D animation. He never hides the fact on which work led him into the animation industry! It was a Chinese animated film.
Well, I won’t talk about that, but let’s look at this animated film, based on its name 时间之子, the theme should revolve around time right? It even pays tribute to Albert Einstein’s theory about time! However this isn’t really a Sci-Fi film, it’s a story closer to the audiences’ life stories — about parting with a loved one. It’s a film aimed to resonate with many.
The story started with a myth regarding the magical pendant known as Shi Lun (Time Wheel) and Shi Men (Time Door). So the visual storytelling began with a commission to find the Time Wheel and Time Door.
Three people are to look for the Time Wheel and Time Door at the peak of a snowy mountain. Based on the brief introduction at the beginning, we learn that Mr. Zuo is someone with great influence and power who commissioned them. These three that he hired are not simple or ordinary people as well, they have good Kung Fu! Hehe… it’s a Chinese animated film right?
So who is this Mr. Zuo?
Not much was revealed about him. Why would Mr. Zuo is so obsessed with owning the Time Wheel and Time Door so much? What’s the motivation? Trying to conquer one last thing that’s out of his control?
What is ‘time’?
Until today, scientists are trying hard to understand it. We counted the distance between stars with the unit of ‘light year’. Is time constant? Can we assume that? Earth’s rotation is not spinning at a constant speed, that will only affect how we count time on earth. Can we control the flow of time?
Let’s think about why would one wish to control time?
What will you do if you could control time? Would you like to travel through time? If yes, would you go back to the past? Trying to change something? Or to meet with your loved ones, one last time?
Have you ever wished to turn back time? Or to stay in a particular moment forever?
In fact, the English name of this film is known as Endless Journey of Love. It makes full sense, after you watch until the end of this film. It’s a beautifully written story, the end ties with the beginning as a loop.
The visual style, why retro? And what is the beauty of film making?
The heroine loves the film making industry. What fascinated her? The records of life footage, and the wonders of the outside worlds. She is curious about the meaning of life, and how to live it right. That’s the motivation that drives her to be on the sailing boat, leaving the island she has stayed at for years.
The plot twist is unexpected, the characters’ developments are reasonably realistic.
What’s the key message of the film? Let’s not reveal it until you watch it for yourself!
Overall it’s a movie full of retro musical elements, ample with a great sense of humour as well. All characters including the side kicks were very catchy as each had their own memorable shining spots and unique personalities.
Generally speaking, this film is about the romantic encounter of the two main characters due to the Time Wheel. But is that all? Not really.
It’s a film made with depth in it’s meanings
If we consider the name of the hero Shi Qi (17) and heroine Qian Xiao (Thousand Knowing), it could carry another layer of meaning. Somehow, when you grow up — you know much compared to your younger days, but you’re far from your youthful years as well. Do you miss some of the older days? Have you forgotten what matters the most to you?
17 is a name, but also an age, where many of us may look back, trying to recall but forgetting who we used to be. Perhaps, we have grown much over the years! Many things have changed. Perhaps, the scariest part is, we became the adults that we hated when we were younger.
Change is the only constant in life. What stays? What do you wish to stay with you? Fame? Wealth? Power?
But the journey of life is only meaningful when you’re loved and connected with others. Not how much you’ve achieved, or how much you’ve owned, nor how much influence you have.
What could be your epitaph?
In the river of time, we will bid our loved ones goodbye. Have you thought about yours?
After hospitalised for the first time and being discharged, I started to write some letters to my loved ones. To tell them the things I have or haven’t told them, to tell them that I have loved them, and lastly thank them.
Why? Because, I don’t know how much time is left on earth, and don’t wish to have any regrets. I don’t want them to think that, they are unloved by me or God, even though they may not believe that He exists.
God is gracious, I was hospitalised the second time and discharged. Two months had passed, although the process of healing was slow but progressing.
I have redeem time to write! Why? 想为在黑暗里挣扎的人，带来一点光。
Same as the film, they spent time making it for a reason. Back to the film, there was an old man who passed away in the first Act of the story. The way that Qian Xiao narrates about his life, he is but a man who loves to drink; the ironic part is this old man died without having his last sip. His grandchild was weeping, the old man’s wife was telling their grandchild, Don’t cry, they would meet with him again.
Will they?
I can’t reveal too much of the story, but basically the film was trying to comfort those who are in grief, that ‘you will meet with your loved one one day’.
So… If I die today, will we ever meet again?
Where do we meet again? What happened after death? Where would our souls be?
Different people would have different answers. However, it’s important for us to seek the answer, as this is a crucial matter more than anything else in life. Where are we going? Where are we heading?
There is no relative truth about the matter of life and death. There is no in between either.
Why would the Bible be preserved, translated and proclaimed throughout all the ages?
To tell us one absolute truth about life viz. all of us are sinners who deserve damnation and will suffer in eternal hell after death.
Sometimes, we hear of people cursing someone to die and go to hell, but do we know that, we are under a curse? All of us are under the curse of sin, we all have sins.
If not of Christ, all of us are heading to hell.
Christ came to die in our place for many, for those who repent and believe in the name of Christ, will inherit eternal life in heaven.
Hebrews 5:8-9 NKJV
though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him
If you have Jesus Christ as your Saviour, we will meet again in heaven. This is not a false hope or a fanatic wish.
In a nutshell, no doubt the film has a good intention from the film makers, it can make you laugh, it can make you cry, it can make you think… But don’t stop there, it should encourage you to act. To find the meaning and answer for your life!
God is gracious, He will guide you, keep knocking, until you find Him. How do I know? The Bible tells me so, and He has dealt with me gracefully in all the tricks and thins, ups and downs in life. I pray that you may be found in Him, to know the meaning of life, the purpose on earth, the will of God: the wonderful blessing that can only be found in Christ alone.
Pick up a Bible and read it, it teaches you more than the best film could do about life.
