Profile | China blockbuster Ne Zha 2 director Jiao Zi reveals spending 3 years living off parents
Now acclaimed film director themes much of his high-earning animated work on parental love in gratitude for their loyalty to him
The director of the historically successful film Ne Zha 2 has revealed how he was unemployed for more than three years during which time he had to depend on his mother’s meagre pension of 1,000 yuan (US$140) a month.
In a show of gratitude for his parents’ support and tolerance, the director, Jiao Zi, whose real name is Yang Yu, added plenty of parental love content to his Ne Zha series which is adapted from an ancient Chinese mythology.
By the end of February 10, the home and overseas box office take for Ne Zha 2 reached 14 billion yuan (US$2 billion), making it the highest-grossing production in China since its release on January 29.
Five years ago, Ne Zha also became a landmark in the country’s animated film history with a box office take of five billion yuan (US$684 million).
As well as dazzling special effects and intriguing plot lines in Ne Zha 2, many viewers said they were touched by the love Ne Zha’s parents showed for him.