Born in China 2017

In the vast expanse of China’s wilderness, three disparate animal families embark on a poignant journey through the cycles of life. The narrative weaves together the stories of Dawa, a snow leopard matriarch, TaoTao, a golden snub-nosed monkey grappling with identity, and YaYa, a giant panda mother nurturing her young daughter MeiMei.

In the Qinghai Plateau’s harsh yet breathtaking landscape, Dawa’s struggles to safeguard her two cubs from predators like a rival snow leopard become a recurring theme. Spring brings a temporary reprieve as the interloper is driven off, only for him to return in autumn with his three sons, leading to a tense standoff. As winter approaches, Dawa’s hunting prowess is tested when she injures herself attempting to capture a sheep. The passage of time proves cruel, and in the spring of the following year, Dawa meets her demise at the hooves of a domestic yak while trying to protect its young. Her cubs are left to navigate the unforgiving world without their mother’s guidance.

In the Sichuan mountain valleys, TaoTao, a golden snub-nosed monkey, wrestles with feelings of jealousy towards his newborn sister. His parents’ growing neglect only exacerbates his sense of isolation. It is amidst this turmoil that he forms an unlikely bond with “The Lost Boys,” a group of outcast monkeys led by the enigmatic Rooster. As autumn arrives, however, TaoTao’s world is turned upside down when Rooster gets into a confrontation with his father. The young monkey eventually abandons the Lost Boys and returns to his family in winter, only to be initially rebuffed before being welcomed back into their fold. Spring brings a new challenge as TaoTao finds himself increasingly drawn to solitude, but it is not until he risks his own life to protect his sister from a hungry Goshawk that his family finally accepts him.

In the lush bamboo forests of central China, YaYa, a gentle giant panda, and her daughter MeiMei embark on their own odyssey. As MeiMei grows into a curious and adventurous young Panda, she becomes captivated by the wonders of her home. Her overprotective mother knows that danger lurks in every corner, but as MeiMei matures, YaYa must confront the inevitability of her daughter’s independence. In the spring, MeiMei achieves a milestone by successfully climbing a tall tree for the first time, earning her proud mother’s blessing to venture forth into the world. With a heavy heart, YaYa departs into the forest, leaving behind a young adult Panda ready to take on the challenges of adulthood.

In the vast expanse of western China’s Qinghai Plateau, a majestic herd of chiru antelope inhabits the high-altitude plains. Each spring, the females embark on an arduous trek to Zhuonai Lake, nestled in the uplands, to nurture their young and prepare them for the journey ahead. Meanwhile, the males remain behind, left to tend to the grazing grounds, their vigilance crucial against the ever-present threat of wolves that stalk unsuspecting young. As autumn arrives, the time comes for the juveniles to make their way back down to the plains, reuniting with their fathers and learning valuable survival skills in the process.

The cycle of life plays out in full force as the mating season commences anew. The males and females, having lost touch with one another over the preceding two seasons, must once again navigate the intricacies of courtship and companionship. Amidst this drama, the camera pans out to reveal a world teeming with life. Dawa’s cubs frolic and play in the mountains, their laughter echoing through the valleys as TaoTao and his father take a leisurely stroll along the riverbanks. In another corner of this thriving ecosystem, a giant panda (YaYa) welcomes a new addition to its family, while a chiru spends its days honing its agility and vying for the attention of a potential mate.

As the narrative draws to a close, the narrator’s voiceover whispers secrets from Chinese mythology, speaking to the cyclical nature of existence. When one life force fades away, a majestic red-crowned crane is said to carry that soul, guiding it toward the eternal cycle of birth and rebirth.