Animated Thoughts: NPR report on China's Cartoonists

So yesterday, I heard a report on NPR's Morning Edition radio program entitled 'Provocative Chinese Cartoonists Find An Outlet Online'. Basically, it's about Chinese cartoonists and animators using their craft to protest abuses in China and posting them on the internet in an attempt to keep one step ahead of the censors. One of the people referred to in the article (pen name: Pi San) created an animation last year protesting illegal land grabs, multiple deaths due to milk poisoning, and killings that go unpunished due to people being politically connected. After reading/listening to the NPR report, here's a link to last July's post where you can watch an english subtitled version of "Little Rabbit, Be Good".

Animated Inspiration: "Little Rabbit, Be Good"

As a rule, I tend to steer clear of political cartoons and animations. However, when I saw this Chinese animation protesting abuses by the Chinese government and politically connected individuals, I had to share it. Not only does this animation show how the medium can be used as a tool to promote justice, it also displays a unique visual style--something that I think every country should develop. I think that the visuals speak for themselves, however, to view an english translation, click the "CC" button on the bottom of the YouTube player. I recommend watching the film once through without english subtitles, just to absorb the visuals, then watching it again with subtitles to "hear" the message.



As an added bonus, I'm also going to include an animated film from animation pioneer Windsor McCay: "The Sinking of the Lusitania".