Pixar Animation Studios’ latest film Turning Red has won great accolades on Chinese social media platforms since its premiere in March on streaming platform Disney+, rated 8.2/10 on Douban, China’s leading art review platform. Created by Chinese Canadian Domee Shi, an Oscar winner for her animation short film Bao in 2018, Turning Red explores ethnic and gender differences centered on the conflict and reconciliation between 13-year-old girl Mei from an ethnic Chinese family in Canada who transforms into a red panda. The transformation represents the puberty, the awakening of the power of women and the fear of the awakening. Unlike her mother who gives up her own dreams to meet the expectations of her family, Mei decides to be herself. It is an affirming coming-of-age moment.
Old Version
