In the quiet corners of the College of Arts at Sichuan University, Li Wenyu, an associate professor and animation director, practices a rare form of "modern alchemy." While the global animation industry races toward digital perfection, Li retreats into the "warmth of the handmade" – a cinematic space where ink, paper and personal memories coalesce.

His first animation feature, "A Story About Fire" (Ran Bi Wa), is far more than a simple adaptation of an ancient myth of the Qiang, an ethnic group living in the mountainous regions of southwest China; it is a "vessel for memory" that breathes with contemporary soul.

Much like Prometheus in Greek mythology, the original Qiang legend tells of Ranbiwa, a monkey raised by an ancient human tribe, who embarks on a perilous journey to the Holy Mountain in search of the fire. Through this quest, he undergoes a nirvana-like rebirth, ultimately becoming human.

While the film is rooted in this ethnic folklore, its emotional core is deeply personal. Li introduced a vital character not found in the original myth: a wolf named "Doggie" to accompany Ranbiwa on his odyssey. This character is a tribute to his beloved dog, Dove, who was his "constant companion" when he first moved to Chengdu in 2008. By weaving these private echoes into an ancient tale, Li transforms an ethnic legend into a universal story of growth and companionship.

For Li, hand-drawn animation is about the "human trace," the visible fingerprints left on a manuscript that preserve the creative process itself. It is a "vessel for personal memories" and a "human-touched" extension of life itself. As "A Story About Fire" (Ran Bi Wa) heads to cinemas this April, it stands as a reminder that the most profound stories are often those that carry the "human touch" of their creator.

Executive producer: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Director & video editor: Zhao Ying

Videographers: Jin Kun, Han Xu, Guo Huakang, Zhao Ying

Cover image designer: Liu Shaozhen

For more:

Animator Li Wenyu: Reimagining an ancient legend of the Qiang with ink-wash animation

PAGE X: Crafting animation from the heart of life