“The Times They Are A-Changin’” is a song that should be used if a dub of Chang’an ever gets released to North American Market. Its lyrics are perfect, but if that does not work, I’d suggest David Bowie’s song,“Changes,” to the distributor involved in editing. While it’s doubtful the Chinese producers would approve of it, I’d get the reference since this movie concerns how the capital of Shaanxi Province would undergo shifts in political power. This city is also known as Xi’an, and it’s historically significant because it was the original beating heart of a unified China.
All of it is the backdrop for the rather ambitious animated film by Lightchaser Studios. This work not only recounts the historical events that transpired but also tries to figure out the relationship two famous poets had as rebellions took place around them. They were sometimes involved in it and other times not.
This city has been razed many times, and the film starts by suggesting regional governor Gao Shi (Wu Junquan) is tired of it. But in this latest incursion known as the An Lushan rebellion, he can’t hold the fort anymore and I think he’s ready to give up. And by the time the next invasion reaches the outskirts, military inspector Cheng Jianjun (voice of Lu Lifeng) arrives at the tent asking for where poet Li Taibai (Zhenhe Ling) is. What I see is sometimthing similiar to how the movie Amadeus plays out, but without the music!
Despite challenging each other to a duel due to a misunderstanding, Shi and Li made amends and throughout the many years, I’m surprised their differing points of view haven’t seen them at odds more often! Their disputes are more philosophical than anything else, and for them, that’s okay. Although many a plot synopsis says the sequences are interpretations of how these two feel about progress and politics, not every moment is based on every idea they laid down on paper.
This film is more of a character study between these two individuals who are the ultimate Odd Couple. Gao is not your typical straight man. He believes in his country and supports the Emperor. In contrast, Li is a libertine who wants change. He knows those ideas he impressed on paper holds more power. I’m surprised he’s not leading every protest that’s come his way, but instead is merely an observer.
What’s ironic is that both their works are supposed to help cultivate character. They’re used as more than textbooks. It’s funny to think of their poems that way, because half the time, they are fighting amongst one another over very trivial things. Even though these individuals come from different worlds, it’s amusing to see them somehow stay friends.
Because there’s no central story, what’s presented feels long. Quite often, the narrative the film shifts to seeing an elderly looking Gao taking a breather before setting up the next flashback. Most of the works reflect upon a poem that either he or Li wrote. If I was to compare them to Francis Bacon and his Idols of the Mind, I’d say they are equals. They are ultimately philosophers to which scholars continue to study today.
This animation is not your typical Lightchaser Animation film. Although this release deviates from their usual action adventures, like the White Snake franchise, thankfully the next work is a return to this world! It’s expected to be released this Summer, and hopefully getting this to screen in theatres in North America won’t be as difficult as this one!
4 Stars out of 5
Chang’An Theatrical Trailer
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