Disneynature's 'Born in China' premiers in US on Earth Day

The China-US coproduction, featuring the life stories of rare wild animals living in China - panda bears, golden monkeys and snow leopards – was given a special screening at the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC on Friday. Paul Baribault, Vice President of Disney Studios and head of Disneynature presented the film at a reception before the screening. 

Cui Yuying, deputy head of the State Council Information Office, delivers a speech at the showing of the movie Born in China in Chinese embassy in Washington DC, April 22, 2017. [Photo: China Daily]

"I know I speak for the entire Disneynature team and our remarkable film makers, and I say we are honored to be here sharing with you tonight, in the Embassy of China, to celebrate a remarkable example of collaboration between Chinese and western filmmakers," said Baribault.

This collaboration between Disneynature and Shanghai Media Group was helmed by Chinese director Lu Chuan, who also made "Kekexili: Mountain Patrol" and "A City of Life and Death." Lu admitted he was impressed with the professionalism of his partners at Disney Studios, who reportedly watched every single one of nearly a dozen edited versions of the film.

Lu was joined by Disney veteran and Academy Award winner Roy Conli, who, according to Baribault, "enabled the diverse talents of the director, cinematographers, editors, narrators and a composer to all shine through."

Roy Conli had previously served as the producer of hit animation film "Big Hero 6," which swept the Chinese audiences off their feet back in 2015. Conli said he hasn't quite gotten over the sensation and has harnessed that energy as he worked on his latest Disneynature film.

"One of the things I always want to achieve in a film is find characters that really speak to the audience, and it was such a great honor and privilege 'Big Hero 6' and Big White being such a hit in China, that was for me one of the highlights of my career. And then to be able to then turn around and give back a little with 'Born in China', it is just ... I feel like I am a lucky man," noted Conli.

Perhaps even luckier will be the viewers of the film, who will be transported from the cinema to some of the most extreme environments on earth to witness some of the most intimate moments ever captured in a nature film. Cui Tiankai, China's Ambassador to the United States, says the film will help inspire its audiences to take action and make a difference for environmental preservation.

"I'm quite sure, by watching this film made by Director Lu Chuan and his international team, his Chinese colleagues, American colleagues and international colleagues, there will be even better public awareness about the importance and urgency to preserve and protect the nature. And we could really learn good lessons from the wild life, how they try to live, how they manage their family, their relations. Maybe we can learn from pandas for human beings how to live in peace, how to live in harmony with each other," said Cui.

"Born in China" was released in China last year and is now available in cinemas across the United States.