Trinity CineAsia has acquired UK distribution rights from Fortissimo Films for the highly-acclaimed Chinese animation DEEP SEA (深海, Shen Hai), it is scheduled for release at exclusive cinemas in the United Kingdom on 7th June.
Internationally premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival 2023, DEEP SEA has since captivated audiences worldwide, showcasing alongside other animations from around the world at the Annecy International Film Festival 2023, the Tokyo International Film Festival 2023, and the BFI London Film Festival 2023. Its artistry and narrative depth led to a nomination for Best Animated Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2023. Following its success on the festivals and awards circuit, DEEP SEA earned $128 Million in China, and claimed the top spot for the most views of a Chinese-language film in France for the past three years. Now reaching audiences in the UK, DEEP SEA continues to make waves, solidifying its place as a cinematic masterpiece on the global stage.
Synopsis:
Shenxiu was abandoned by her mother when she was a child. On a family cruise, Shenxiu falls into the sea and breaks into a mysterious restaurant under the ocean. There she meets the wildly experimental chef Nanhe and embarks on a journey to meet her mother again, in a kaleidoscopic, dreamlike world of swirling colour and cascading water.
Directed by Xiaopeng Tian, it is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that took seven years to make. As audiences follow the journey of the main character Shenxiu, where magical creatures and enthralling deep-sea adventures await, DEEP SEA presents the message that courage can be found even at the deepest depths. The animation is painted on a canvas brimming with colour and dreams, blending fantasy adventure with pioneering CG animation and the splendour of Chinese painting. The production team brings the blurry shapes of traditional Chinese ink painting into 3D through a particle technique, and lighting techniques from live action were also employed to depict both the reality and the imaginary worlds.
Cedric Behrel, Managing Director of Trinity CineAsia, remarked “DEEP SEA marks a new direction for Trinity CineAsia in bringing bold and distinctive animation from China to UK audiences. It has proven a hit both at home and abroad in France, where it has become of the five best performing films from China at the box office. Its distinct narrative and visual style put it in a category of its own, I was completely stunned by it when I first saw at the Berlin International Film Festival and that feeling has been haunting me ever since. I am thrilled to bring this cinematic gem to British audiences on the big screen, allowing them to experience the secrets and magic of animation inspired by the Chinese ink painting in a truly breathtaking way.”
Check out the trailer below:
DEEP SEA will be coming to UK cinemas on June 7th. Will you be checking out DEEP SEA when it arrives in cinema? Make sure you let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to catch up on more movie goodness right here.
