Film tackles youth's challenges in writing with humor

Hello, Spring, a children's film that resonates with youngsters struggling with composition writing, caught the attention of industry insiders during a recent seminar in Beijing.

Directed by Ma Lanhua, the film draws inspiration from Charlie Chaplin's comedies and French New Wave cinema, using exaggerated humor to tell the story of a Chinese teacher who helps a mischievous student discover a love for writing.

Ma Yixiang, the film's screenwriter and an actor, revealed that the story was inspired by his own experiences. Interestingly, despite being an experienced writing teacher, his daughter — director Ma Lanhua — once considered composition writing her greatest challenge. After interviewing many children and their families, Ma Yixiang wove their real struggles with writing into the film, aiming to discover a joyful way to ignite young learners' passion for the craft.

Hou Keming, president of the Children's Film Review Committee at the China Film Critics Association, praised the film's comedic aesthetic, highlighting its use of satire to critique educational shortcomings while breaking new ground in both theme and artistic expression.

The film is set for a domestic release on Sept 12, with its sequel currently in development.