Based on a fantasy novel by Saijo Naka, Sennenki: Thousand-Year Journey of an Oni, Another World is the first animated feature by Tommy Ng Kai Chung. The story follows a soul keeper named Gudo (Suet-Ying Chung), who is responible for ferrying souls into the afterlife. Their mission becomes interrupted by the soul of Yuri (Hiu-Tung Choi), a girl who is trying to find her younger brother Kenji.
Another World is presented through eyes of Gudo, a faceless character with the body of a young child. Their initial quest to finding Kenji’s soul steadily becomes a journey in understanding human, thanks to their interactions with Yuri. Unaware of her presence in Another World (the soul realm), Yuri’s innocence and curiosity opens Gudo’s eyes to feelings such as longing and hunger, which causes the latter to question what it is like to be human. This slowly breaks the somewhat coldness of being a soul keeper and later spurs them to save Yuri’s soul, forming a conviction and compassion that makes them increasingly endearing – even for an expressionless character.
However, Another World is more than Gudo and Yuri’s fantastical adventure. On one hand, the combination of the film’s bright colours, light humour from Gudo’s guardian Dark Sky (Louis Cheung) and a smattering of action, fast-paced scenes dresses it as a children’s film. But, in reality, it offers a vivid canvas to paint the narrative’s numerous dark elements. The end picture feels chaotic at times due to a non-linear narrative and the unexpected addition of several characters, which involves a cursed princess and a young factory worker. These characters feed the film’s complexity but their eventual relevance reiterates a wider exploration of humanity.
Certain sequences that range from war to torture are graphic and brutal – who knew a bowl of soup could be so horrifying – but with each new subplot, Leung and Yeung take their time to allow each new character to add layers to the film’s themes of existentialism and emotionalism. As a result, they reinforce the film’s sobering story yet invites audiences to dig past its aesthetics to resonate with Gudo’s own personal journey.
Overall, Chung’s debut feature is a bold yet beautifully animated adventure but despite its occasional moments of darkness, it dares to delve deep into the heart of humanity.
Another World is out in UK cinemas from 30 January.
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Director: Tommy Kai Chung Ng, Polly Yeung (screenwriter), Saijo Naka (author)
Stars: Suet-Ying Chung, Hiu-Tung Choi, Louis Cheung
Runtime: 110 minutes
Country: Hong Kong
