Two twelve-year-olds, Sangdan and Tang Yu, meet among the mountains and valleys of the Chinese countryside. Sangdan is dreaming of crafting butter sculptures in a faraway Tibetan monastery. Tang Yu has escaped from his strict parents in the city. Together they go on an adventurous journey. This is a delicate coming-of-age road trip for middle school.
In rural China's sprawling and majestic landscape, two young boys embark on their journeys of self-discovery. Sangdan, a determined and solitary traveler from a remote village, sets out on a quest to master the ancient art of butter sculpture in a distant monastery. Tang Yu, a tech-savvy urbanite, flees the constraints of his strict upbringing and the responsibilities that come with it. As their paths cross, they embark on a grand adventure together, traversing the country and discovering new lessons about life, friendship, and growing up.
Director's Statement
As kids are the future and hope of any country, the quality of a country's education system necessarily impacts its future and destiny. However, for a long time, Chinese kids have been overburdened with the study. Despite repeated attempts by the educational authorities to reduce the burden, little progress has been made. After-school tutoring has become a crucial part of students' and parents' lives; in fact, it can dominate their existence. Not only does a child have to study endlessly in and out of class, but a family also needs at least one parent to give up their spare time, or even their job, to supervise or tutor their child's extracurricular activities full-time. This phenomenon is widespread in medium and large cities, where no one will let their children fall behind. However, the resulting social problems are becoming increasingly prominent. A heavy study burden not only seriously affects the physical and mental health of kids, but it also seriously affects the quality of life of the whole family and can even cause problems such as a family breakdown. Too much homework, too little sleep, and too little outdoor activity combined with a formulaic education take a heavy toll on children's creativity. On the one hand, they want to be free; on the other hand, they become tired of learning. This is true especially among urban children, while the children of rural and remote areas tend to be spared. In Western China, especially the Tibetan areas, the folk customs and economic development levels sharply contrast with the extensive inland cities. In the film, both kids run away, but the Tibetan kid does so to pursue his dreams, while the city kid is searching for freedom and to escape from his reality which is quite different. This difference should be cause for reflection amongst viewers. The film is made up of a five-day, four-night journey that shows the growth and friendship of a pair of kids and the soul-searching process of a divorced couple holding their child captive in the name of love. This is also a story about the Buddhist concept of attachment. The chocolate of the title is a symbol of the material world, while the butter is a symbol of the spirit. Eventually, both will melt away and there is nothing to hold on to. Life goes on regardless. Children play the leading role in this film set against the beautiful backdrop of the Tibetan Plateau, and I hope audiences will find an exciting story and a deeper meaning behind it. The film's title, "Chocolate and Butter Sculpture," is symbolic, with chocolate representing urban civilization and fortune, materialism, taste, and romance. In contrast, butter sculpture is religious, embodying the spirit of hardship, artistry, and faith. In the material and spiritual life, some people satisfy their material desires first, while others head straight for spiritual prosperity. Each has its relative merits, and there is no right answer.
