The 42nd session of the French comic strip festival, the China Pavilion

January 29 to February 1, one of the world's largest comics festival-France Angouleme International cartoon Festival ushered in the 42nd session of the celebration. This cartoon festival is not only a special "China Pavilion", but also specially invited China International comic strip City--Guangzhou as the main guest city. This is the 2008 Ministry of Culture organized by the Chinese cartoon delegation to participate in the Angouleme Comics Festival, again by the Chinese government-driven, large-scale Chinese original anime foreign cultural exchange activities.

This year's Angouleme Comics festival was held during the "China Pavilion" 4 days in a row for the "Chinese Animation Golden Dragon Award" and "Past • now • Future" Theme exhibition, the debut of Jincheng, Nie Jun, Li Kunwu, Yao Fei and other 10 cartoonists and hundreds of works represent the highest level of contemporary Chinese original comics and comics. This year, the most important award of Angouleme International Comics Festival, "Cultural Heritage Award" is spent in the French version of "Mao Wandering," to this part of the world in the history of comic books of great significance to salute.

Meanwhile, by the Chinese cartoon publishing leading enterprises and the European animation industry leader of the high-Le Group in France, the establishment of the "City of China Press", the first batch of cartoons held a global starting ceremony, which marks a world-oriented Chinese original cartoon "Sea Silk Road" officially set sail.

How do Chinese original cartoons appear in the eyes of French readers? Where does this new cultural exchange "sea Silk Road" lead? Nanfang Daily reporter to this in-depth interview, reviewed the whole process.

Highlights

80-Year-old "Mao" France was crowned

At the 42nd session of the French Angouleme International Comics Festival, in the Angouleme City center Saint-Hens Marchal (place saint-martial) Church Square, one can see a bright "China pavilion". In the "new antique" venues, the symbol of Chinese red decorative elements, as well as the patchwork of comic works. In the "China Animation Golden Dragon Award" outstanding Works Exhibition area, a piece of fine masterpiece appears very eye-catching.

It is learned that many of the painters present in the comic section are familiar with European readers through the China International Cartoon Festival "Golden Dragon Award", including Li Kunwu, Nie Jun, Xia, Yao Fei, Yiao and other Chinese original comics. Li Kunwu's "from Xiao Li to Lao Li--A Chinese life", he was shortlisted for the French Angouleme Comics Festival in 2010; Nie Jun "Sunflower Boy" with heavy color Schonfan salute, Benjamin, Silent, Ami and other large number of Chinese original authors, have been in the "Golden Dragon Award" to promote "go out", take to the European "Direct Express".

Another feature of the exhibition is "past, present and future" as the theme, "Classic Comics, Contemporary comics, contemporary comic" as the main line, strung a series of different times representative works. The exhibition includes a classic comic strip called "comic book". The comics began to sprout in the early 20th century, reaching its peak in the late 80. "China Pavilion" in particular selected three well-known in China famous comic book masterpieces, including Leping's "Mao Wandering in mind", re-entering force of the "XV" is the author's fame. and Youzhi straight As China's recognized comic book master, one of its exhibitors for the full color of the "blacky marriage", he was 83 years old Bang completed the short works, each picture of the script written by the author with a brush, so that the work of many colors.

According to the "China Pavilion" curator Jincheng Introduction, in order to prepare the exhibition, he had in the famous comic book home Jianzhong referral, made a special trip to Shanghai to visit the 93-year-old Youzhi straight. Hello that "blacky marriage" This work is his most satisfying creation so far. And Leping's "Mao Wandering Mind" is by the Chinese art Museum to lend exhibits, by the son of Leping, Zhang Yijun personally to the exhibition.

At this year's French Angouleme International Comics Festival, these Chinese comic books have been highly appraised. According to the introduction, the highest award of the Comics Festival "cultural Heritage Award" for "Mao wandering" the "coronation" is a great affirmation, indicating that the Chinese comic is reached the world-class level of the "Nineth art."

At the same time, this belated honor is also regrettable. As we all know, "Mao wandering" is Leping's works in 1935, the birth of 80 years after it was the European readers "see", and get this from the industry for its artistic value affirmation. "It all came a little late, looking at Leping predecessors have retired son Zhang Yijun in Angouleme father to receive the prize, we have mixed feelings." Jincheng said with emotion. In his view, although the Chinese original animation participation and integration into the international market late start, but "finally took this step."

Storm

"Comics should embody tolerance and generosity"

In this cartoon festival, Chinese cartoonist and comic works have been paid attention to at the same time, also encountered an unexpected storm. January 19, the French humorous satire comics magazine "Cold Snap" (Fluide glacial) on its cover published a picture of the Chinese "occupy" The comic book, the "spoof" works rushed to the streets, causing widespread concern.

The Southern Daily reporter learned that this year is the 40 anniversary of the "cold spell", because the magazine hopes to be held at the annual Angouleme International comic strip event was rejected, and decided to ridicule as a cartoon festival guests of the Chinese delegation, to show "revenge."

Such "French ridicule", in the eyes of many Chinese cartoonists have gone beyond the normal "sense of humour" category. To this end, China's Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other cartoonists have picked up the brush, also through the comic works to express their "unhappy." According to the "man friend" magazine statistics, there are more than 10 well-known domestic cartoonists for the creation of the work, including professional comic writer 邝飚, cartoonist Old Zhang, Shuang and so on. While expressing the cultural differences between China and France in a moderate manner, they also showed their attitudes with the same witty irony.

Xu Pengfei, director of the Comic Art Committee of the famous cartoonist and Chinese Artists Association, said the cover incident of the "cold current" magazine reflected some French people's lack of understanding and understanding of China. At this time, cartoonists should have a dialogue with the West in the art language of comics.

Cartoonist Shuang told Nanfang Daily reporter, the comic is not just ridicule, "comics should embody a kind of tolerance and generosity." Thus, in his writings, the work played down the atmosphere of conflict, only to reproduce his childhood in the "French impression"-was mistakenly thought to be the TV station Paris Eiffel Tower. Works in a witty, relaxed form, return to the other side of recklessness and extreme.

"We need to learn more about each other and respond with tolerance and generosity is our confidence." "In the eyes of the comic-book author, the" Cold snap "magazine acts more simply to create gimmicks," we should look at it calmly and rationally. " ”

The memorable is, as China Pavilion Curator of Jincheng, always with a calm smile to face everything. When the originator of the event--cold Current magazine President Yang Lindinger--led the original author of the comic book to the China Pavilion, Jincheng was a friendly way to show them how the Chinese comic writers responded to the event. "French cartoonists have the right to express themselves, as do Chinese cartoonists, but we are not really angered, but rather humorous ways to communicate with international peers." Jincheng told Nanfang Daily reporter.

And these comic works also let Lindinger and other people feel the goodwill, understanding and generosity contained therein. In the end, a storm ended in peace--Lindinger, who actively collected the "response works" of the Chinese comic authors, said the exhibition would be staged at the 40 anniversary of the magazine's celebrations.

Thinking

How to Reproduce the original comic?

Chinese original comics new and old classics in the French Angouleme International cartoon Festival on the collective debut, can not help to the development of Chinese comics full of expectations, and the related issues are quietly emerging. It is reported that the French version of the "Mao Wandering" published by the French Fei Press, the beginning of 2014 in the French Professional bookstore and literary bookstore shelves, and then in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and other countries issued successively. "Mao" was born 80 years later, is still the most influential overseas, the highest sales of a comic strip. Can China's contemporary comic books create a "Mao" brilliance?

In fact, the Chinese comics in the early 20th century had a boom period from 1949 to 1980, when China published more than 3,000 comics, the total printing volume reached 1 billion volumes, and 1983 to 1984 reached 1.5 billion volumes.

This year, the Sino-French joint city of China Press in the current Angouleme International Cartoon Festival, the introduction of the French version of the 5 comic works, including Li Kunwu's "scars", Xia's "Zi Not Language", "Long Song Line", Lu Bo's "1937 Shanghai Battle" and Li Zhiwu's "White Deer", in the field sales are very hot.

Among them, Xia's "Long Song Line" in the Tang Dynasty history as the background, has a deeper cultural heritage, not only by the domestic market recognition, in Japan, France also has a large number of readers, and "White Deer original" comic book author Li Zhiwu three times to the White deer, did a lot of field investigation. The works are bleak and sincere, reflecting the folk customs of Guanzhong. Growing up in the Loess Plateau, has for many years engaged in the newspaper art editor Li Zhiwu creation career more than 30 years, he has painted "ordinary World", and won the ninth National Exhibition of Bronze Award. French comic book editors think that their works break the western cartoons and Japanese anime patterns, forming their own distinctive style, "its heavy sense is other anime, cartoon works unmatched."

Li Kunwu is one of the most popular comics writers in the European market in the last 5 years, and his work is full of thinking about history, reality and individual life, especially with the preferences of European readers. In 2010, Li Kunwu and French friend Ouching collaborated on the long autobiographical comic book "from Xiao Li to Lao Li, a Chinese Life" trilogy, in Belgium and France won several awards. Next, Li Kunwu will also be in France to publish a series of comic albums, the attention.

"China now comics are blossoming, and ' Mao ' when compared to the biggest difference is freer, more entertaining, more diverse." "Comic author Smiley Rabbit thinks, in fact, the language of comics is universal, as long as the story of touching people, even without words, will soon let foreign readers accept, such as" Father and Son "or" Modillo Comics "and so on. In short, the domestic comic book writers and foreign publishers, cartoonists to cooperate and exchange, in order to obtain more publications and publishing channels. ”

For the development of Chinese comic art, Jincheng said, this requires the author in the Chinese Traditional painting art, classic comics to absorb more nutrition, but also need the government through special funds, the creation of new people to support. At the same time, in the global Internet communication and image Fast reading ERA, China must with the world's comic book powers such as France, Belgium, the United States and Japan to learn from each other, strengthen exchanges, innovative forms and content to adapt to the needs of readers of the Times, boldly explore the international market.

Cultural Roundtable

How Chinese cartoons are

International readers "see"?

Chairman of the Association of Animation Artists of Guangdong Province, Jincheng, a famous cartoonist

Solid plot and spiritual value indispensable

Since 2008, Chinese comics have been constantly strengthening the integration with the international community and readers. According to our observation, at present, a lot of comic works culture is not too mature, more inclined to fast food, emphasis on entertainment and relaxation of the reading effect. As a big comic book country, the French counterparts are very fastidious about "nutritious meals", and readers will think about what they can reap from reading a comic book.

In France, comic writers are a mature business, and our comics writers can get in touch with them and move to international. So is Hollywood, where comic writers guide the creation of comic-book writers, such as how they should be handled during the creation process, not only as writers but also as mentors.

Therefore, if our cartoons to the international, still need a solid plot and a wealth of spiritual value. Young author Xia's "Long Song line" has done such a combination, full of characters, very tension of the plot, so that its works have been the market and Word-of-mouth common recognition, the first in the international break out of their own world.

In addition, in order to promote China's animation to the international, I hope that in the future to hold more world-class two-way exhibitions. We are also communicating with the French side, we intend to hold this year in Guangzhou comic book "Master Class", the French cartoonists, comic writers and publishers invited to Guangzhou, for the National excellent comic book writers focused and closed training. On the one hand, in order to improve the domestic author's creative level, on the other hand, to open up the European market for directional counseling.

Dr. Ye Zhenghua, associate professor, Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Tsinghua University

Mutual respect and understanding is the basis of dialogue

At present, the entertainment tendency of Chinese original comic works is obvious, but if Chinese cartoonists really hope that the works can produce international influence, first of all, we need to have a real market consciousness and follow the market rules. The reason why Chinese cartoons are hard to "go out" is precisely the way in which some experts have the final say and the public do not buy it.

Recently, another top international cartoon festival, Angulan Comics Festival, awarded the highest award to two Japanese manga master Matsumoto 0 and the big friend grams. See this news we will know, "the content and market both hands" is the hard truth, is the Japanese animation system and Europe and the United States system to rival the basis. Of course, practicing good "internal strength" is more important. As far as creation is concerned, Chinese cartoons should be "seen" internationally, humorous or capable of touching a person's narrative style; not only that, the works must form a series or genre, otherwise even the attention is only short-lived.

Now, the French comics industry has gradually realized that China's original comics have a huge audience market and development potential. Mutual respect and mutual understanding are the basis of dialogue between China and the French comic circle. First, the market indifference caused by cultural differences is very common, some of the cartoons in China are very hot, the French do not understand the Chinese can not understand, so these works are difficult to be favored by foreign readers, and secondly, the audience level differences caused by misunderstanding, but also to "go out" to bring obstacles. Chinese cartoons face the general low age of readers, but the French read comics are middle-aged people, so some of the plot will be misunderstood, and even create stereotypes.

I once had a live comic-book show at the Angulan Comics Festival, and the audience was very enthusiastic, but I think Chinese cartoons tend to be conservative in their eyes. In the future, we must dare to break through, dare to innovate, and further enhance the personal aesthetic pursuit. "Going out" to achieve a "start" is a good thing, but to really long to win the admiration of foreign readers, we still have a long way to go.

Topic author Nanfang daily reporter Zhong Lin
Intern Lin Ying