Textual Hermeneutics Interpretation of Chinese Descendants in the Animated Film “Turning Red”

Abstract

In early 2022 Pixar Animation Studios launched the animated film “Turning Red”. Pixar markets the film as the first animated film to feature Chinese culture and characters. The aim of this study is to find out how the characters and culture of Chinese descendants are shown in the film. The research will be carried out with a qualitative approach, through documentation from previous studies, as well as direct observation of the film being studied. Observations will be made on the narrative elements of the film, namely story, plot, chapter, setting of space, and time; as well as film cinematic elements: mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, and sound. Since the film is 90 min long, the observation will focus on one key scene from each phase of the film’s main structure, namely exposition, complication, and resolution. Animated film is a psychological and sociological reflection of the context in which the film is produced. Therefore, the depiction of Chinese descendants in the film “Turning Red” will be analyzed using Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutic theory. The results of this study indicate that “Turning Red” has presented Chinese culture in its narrative and cinematic elements. In addition, the depiction of Chinese descendants in this film is not only shown in visual elements such as the spatial setting, but also in the narrative aspect of the film. In particular, the main plot of the film explores the conflict between generations and the conflict between heritage culture and popular culture, which are common among Chinese immigrant groups.