I was exposed to this short animated film late last year and have watched it ten times or so to try and understand the meaning in some sort of relevant way, beyond the gorgeous animation.

The film comes from Guangzhou, China, depicting children studying under the rigorous draconian task masters that consume the work of the children; their brain steam, of course. Do not be fooled by the whimsical first forty seconds of this film, its realism is acute.

Establishing that talent and excellence have been employed here, I am so so curious about what this all really means. I think, after watching a few times, I might be closer to understanding what Chinese students (or students in most East Asian countries) are pressured to do; which is overachieve on a massive scale.

Clearly, the steam-eating beasts represent the machine of China, probably labeled ‘A Tradition of Excellence’ by the party. The human cost, however, is a lost childhood. What becomes of ones lost childhood? Does it get gobbled up, moving you to the next ‘level’ of excellence?

I love that the victims in the end use their intelligence against the steam-eaters, turning them into cute, harmless fuzzies. What a beautiful suggestion, to feed the beast until you know enough to destroy it.

In other words, this animation is smarter than I am.