The Chinese Mulholland Drive? Why Niu Lai is special even in ‘so bad it’s good’ film lore
Initially mocked, the low-budget film by a first-time animator and his mum is now being hailed as a bastion of hard work and free expression
Initially derided by audiences for its poor quality, Niu Lai – a home-made, micro-budget animated feature film – has become a cultural sensation in China, one that is being belatedly championed for its wholesome messaging and lo-fi aesthetics.
Written and directed by first-time animator Xin Yumeng and his 60-year-old mother, Sun Lifang, Niu Lai tells the story of the eponymous young ox calf, who cannot walk. After befriending a skylark, the timid calf slips into a dream, where he stands up on his hind legs and embarks on a formative journey.
In the dream, Niu Lai encounters a snake, a brave leopard protector and a pack of ferocious wolves. As he and his mother travel with their herd across a hostile wilderness, the calf learns to fend for himself, discovering the importance of family and friendship before waking from his dream and taking his first courageous steps into a larger, enlightened world.
Xin, who is based in Dalian in China’s Liaoning province, created Niu Lai over five years using second-hand computer equipment bought online to animate a story penned by his mother. The pair provided the voices for all the characters and even composed and performed the film’s theme song.