A new Tom and Jerry film, produced by both Chinese and American companies, has surprised audiences with a novel blend of cultural humor.
Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass premiered for preview audiences on Saturday in Beijing, sending the iconic duo back to ancient China for their latest adventure.
The production team has incorporated myriad Chinese cultural elements while also alluding to the rich history of the U.S. film industry.
"When Tom and Jerry travel back in time to ancient China, they meet many immortals there. However, whereas the Chinese characters' mannerisms are more Peking-Opera like, Tom is more like Charlie Chaplin in the silent films. And this clash actually creates a new style of humor," said Zhang Gang, director and screenwriter of the film.
Joining Tom is the phoenix-riding immortal whose mount has been transformed into a rooster. They are accompanied by Tom's new infatuation, Ruyu.
"Tom in each episode of the original story falls in love with a white cat. However, the Ruyu I created in this film is a Peking-Opera cat and she is very reserved and demure, sort of in the image of a stereotypical Chinese lady," said Zhang.
Also joining the adventure are three roof beasts -- decorative animals seen on China's imperial-era roofs, come to life. Together, this unlikely ensemble embarks on a thrilling, firecracker-filled mission to retrieve the powerful talisman -- the forbidden compass.
While there have been numerous adaptations of this classic cat-and-mouse TV series for the big screen, this marks the first time Tom and Jerry have visited China, and the captivating integration of Chinese culture into the story has thrilled fans.
"It's beyond our expectations. When we first heard Tom and Jerry and Chinese culture, what would be the link? And then I saw many smart characters," said an American viewer.
"I really liked how all the Chinese culture was interwoven for Tom and Jerry to explore and discover as well. I thought that was quite interesting," said a British audience member.
"I think this is an outstanding movie because it mixes American culture and Chinese culture and helps us in America to understand Chinese culture and customs," an American attendee to the preview said.
"I was instantly transported back to my childhood memory by the chase action sequences and the music in the movie," said a Chinese viewer.
New Tom and Jerry film fascinates int'l audiences with merge of Chinese, American culture
