In Chinese folklore, Nian Shou — the mythical beast of the New Year — is traditionally depicted as a ferocious monster that emerges from its mountain dwelling on the eve of Chinese New Year to terrorize villagers. Fearing attack, people began setting off fireworks to scare the creature away, a practice that over time evolved into the celebratory traditions of Spring Festival.
Nian Shou has now been reimagined as twin sisters, who can shape-shift into dragon-like creatures in Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector — the only animated tentpole film that will be released during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, the most lucrative box-office season of the year.
The new movie — the 12th installment in the Boonie Bears franchise — follows a fresh adventure starring the titular bear brothers and their human best friend, Vick, who is usually completely bald. This time, however, Vick becomes mysteriously transformed: he grows a full head of thick hair, and two horns begin to emerge from his head.
Along the way, they encounter a wild-spirited girl who, with her twin, is Nian Shou, and who together rule a magical city established to conquer Sha, a multiheaded monster threatening the human world. In a surprising twist, the Nian Shou twins are not depicted as villains, but as the heroines — literally the "hidden protectors" who have secretly guarded humanity for generations.
Song Zhiqin, director of the Movie Art Center at the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, said that the franchise has already earned a stunning 8.5 billion yuan ($1.23 billion) from its previous 11 features.
With a clear goal to attract families, the films — known for their heartwarming tone and positive themes — have secured a stable presence at the festival box office, becoming an important part of the diverse ecosystem of Spring Festival cinema, Song said.
Yin Hong, vice-chairman of the China Film Association, said the new film carries strong Chinese cultural characteristics and depicts the customs and habits of how Chinese people celebrate the New Year, making it a good choice for audiences.
