The documentaryBornin Chinawas shot in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (青藏高原) and shows animals’ lives during different seasons.
It not only brings to audiences the lives of animals that are rarely seen in the wild—giant pandas and Xizangan antelopes (藏羚羊), for example— but also shows traditional Chinese culture. The film mainly focuses on life and love within three animal families— giant pandas, golden monkeys and snow leopards.
A symbol of China, the giant panda is both black and white. Its body is thought to show yin and yang. The panda’s gentle nature (本性) also shows how yin and yang, when perfectly balanced, lead to peace and harmony (和谐). This can be seen in the documentary when a giant panda mother guides her baby to gradually look for independence and explore the world.
Monkeys always have strong personalities. The best example might be the Monkey King, a character from the popular novel Journey to the West (《西游记》). On one hand he stands for impatience. But on the other hand, he shows cleverness and energy.Born in Chinafollows a 2- year-old golden monkey who feels like his life has been changed for the worse by his new baby sister. He quickly joins up with a group of other free-spirited monkeys, but finally returns to his family and understands the meaning of responsibility.
A mother snow leopard faces the challenge of raising her two children in a harsh (严酷的) environment. The leopards, known for their rapid attacks and quick footwork, have inspired a form of pictographic boxing (象形拳) in Shaolin martial arts (武术).
“Bornin Chinais a means to show Chinese traditional culture,” director Lu told the Binhai Times newspaper. “From five-animal exercises to pictographic boxing, Chinese people have learned from wild animals since ancient times.
【小题1】What three animals does the filmBorn in Chinamainly focuses on life and love?| A．giant pandas, golden monkeys and snow leopards |
| B．giant pandas, golden monkeys and Xizangan antelopes |
| C．giant pandas, snow leopards and Xizangan antelopes |
| D．golden monkeys, snow leopards and Xizangan antelopes |
| A．It shows audiences the lives of animals in the wild. |
| B．It is considered the best nature film ever made. |
| C．It is the first wildlife documentary ever made in China. |
| D．It shows Chinese traditional culture through the lives of animals. |
| A．golden monkeys | B．giant pandas | C．Xizangan antelopes | D．snow leopards |
| A．he can’t get along with the Monkey King |
| B．his mother wants him to be more independent |
| C．he feels that his little sister has changed his life for the worse |
| D．he wants to learn about responsibility from other monkeys |
| A．It shows the importance of exploring the world. |
| B．It was inspired by the novel Journey to the West. |
| C．It shows what people can learn from animals. |
| D．It shows how animals’ lives have changed. |
