Deep Sea

Your prayers have been answered. Tian Xiaopeng's Deep Sea defies everything you've ever seen in animation with its unparalleled technique combining 3D animation with running ink art, resulting in an aesthetically overwhelming experience. Bursting with colours and captivating canvases, it sweeps you into a fantastical world. Every frame is a feast. Beyond its dazzling exterior lies a profound story - an intimate exploration of grappling with depression and trauma. Deep Sea looks like a maximalist masterpiece, but feels like a poignant aquatic reverie that leaves an indelible mark on your soul.

Ever since her mother left the family, Shenxiu has felt a deep sadness, unable to shake that relentless feeling of utter loneliness and grief. Amidst a cruise with her father, stepmother, and baby brother, she finds herself wandering the ship alone. However, fate takes a drastic turn when a fierce storm strikes, casting Shenxiu overboard and into the embrace of a surreal underwater world. Guided by a many-eyed creature, the Hyjinx, she ends up in the chaotic Deep Sea Restaurant, led by the magical chef Nanhe. Together they embark on a quest for the Eye of the Deep Sea.

Chinese director Tian Xiaopeng - whose breakout film Monkey King: Hero is Back was a major box office success - channels his admiration for Jules Verne's classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea into a moving metaphorical coming-of-age story about overcoming sadness. As Shenxiu is troubled with the weight of her grief, Xiaopeng masterfully the narrative forward, infusing every grame with an uninterrupted energy and fluidity. He keeps everything moving, swinging, swirling, flowing, and streaming as if there is no tomorrow. Within the depths of the ocean, there lies mysteries aplenty. And in our hearts, we store depression, confusion, and fear. Through Shenxiu's journey, Xiaopeng invites us to confront these inner tempests head-on. With its mesmerizing painterly visuals, Deep Sea immerses us in a psychedelic odyssey, urging us to surrender to the grandeur of this cinematic spectacle. This film truly demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.

In Amsterdam, Deep Sea will be screened in 3D.