A ‘terrible’ Chinese animated film becomes a box-office hit
This AP report covers the viral success of the poorly animated Chinese film 'Niu Lai,' which gained popularity through mockery. The film's title, which translates to 'the bull is coming,' has turned it into a cultural meme among Chinese stock market investors.
Why it matters
It highlights how internet subcultures and memes can influence mainstream media consumption and financial sentiment.
By FU TING Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] --> Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share
The new sensation among some Chinese moviegoers is an animated film whose characters appear to have been created with rudimentary 3D animation and have been described as “ugly” and “eerie.”
But it is the scathing online reviews that seem to have prompted interest in “Niu Lai,” an animated film about a calf who had a dream about himself growing up with the help of his family, driving a surprising surge at the box office.
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