Learn more about Born in China in our Born In China Movie Review
Character: YaYa and MeiMei – Pandas
This Earth Day Disneynature returns with a brand new film! This time Disneynature is taking us on a journey to the wilds of China in “Born in China”, where we get to meet the majestic Panda bears. But that’s not all, oh no! Unlike recent Disneynature films such as Monkey Kingdom, Born in China will not only give us an inside look into Panda bears but two other amazing animals families (the savvy golden monkey and the elusive snow leopard) that call China their home.
Disneynature Born In China opens on 4/21 (Earth day 2017).
#BornInChina
Disneynature, in its ongoing quest to bring the natural world to the big screen as never before, presents its most ambitious project to date, taking moviegoers on a grand journey into the wilds of China. “Born In China” follows the adventures of three animal families — the majestic panda, the savvy golden monkey and the elusive snow leopard.
Featuring stunning imagery, the film navigates the vast terrain—from the frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest—on the wings of a red-crowned crane, showcasing remarkably intimate family moments captured on film for the first time ever.
See Born in China opening week and Disneynature will make a donation in your honor to World Wildlife Fund to benefit wild pandas and snow leopards.
Character: Red-Crowned Cranes
The film first introduces us to the red-crowned crane, which is a symbolic, spiritual animal. There is an ancient belief that says that the crane delivers the soul of a departed creature to a next world. The filmmakers ventured to the Zhalong wetlands and Yancheng coastal wetlands to film the cranes. These beautiful birds feature snow-white plumage, dramatic black markings, and iconic red crowns.
Character: YaYa and MeiMei – Pandas
Born in China’s central character is Yaya and her sweet baby, MeiMei. Yaya is a first-time mom learning about motherhood through carrying for her rambunctious daughter. We can all relate, right? Did you know that the giant panda gestation period ranges from 3-5 months? Not only that, the average female produces 5-8 cubs in her lifetime and she can start reproducing at between 4-5 years old.
Character: MeiMei – Pandas
At birth, cubs weigh 3-5 ounces and are about the size of a stick of butter, making mom 900 times bigger. Panda cubs are born pink, hairless and blind. And they don’t venture far from Mom till they’re about 6 months old. They’ll nurse till they’re 8-9 months old, and leave their mothers for good at about age 3. Can you say adorable? 🙂 Well, MeiMei and YaYa are adorable indeed, but wait until you meet the funniest characters yet.
Character: TaoTao – Golden snub-nosed monkeys
Yes, laugh-out-loud moments come from TaoTao and his Golden snub-nosed monkey family. TaoTao is a 2-year old snub-nosed monkey living in the mountain valleys of central China, near the Yangtze River in the Shennongjia Forest. TaoTao’s life is turned upside-down after his little sister joins the troop. Previously the center of attention, TaoTao decides to aligned himself with a group of males known in the film as the “Lost Boys”. After spending some time with the Lost Boys, TaoTao discovers that life with these lone males is a bit rough. But he will have to prove himself to the troop and find his place in it.
Character: Dawa and her cub – Snow Leopard
In this journey, we also meet the migrating Chiru. Where every spring, female chiru leave the males and make an epic journey to the legendary Zhuonai Lake in the remote uplands of the northeastern part of the Qinghai Plateau. There, they welcome new calves. Mothers and newborns bond and practice essential skills—like walking—before making the long trek home. And then we meet Dawa and her Snow Leopard cubs. Dawa and her cubs live in China’s Qinghai Plateau, the highest mountain plateau on Earth. Dawa is a single mom who has to protect and care for her cubs on her own in a harsh and unforgiving environment. The story of Dawa and her cubs is definitely the emotional anchor and the most dramatic of this Disneynature film. The story of Born in China will enchant you with those cuddly babies and it will make you ponder. John Krasinski’s narration is excellent and the score perfectly in tune with the film’s story. I encourage you to go see this film during its first week as Disneynature will make a donation to the World Wildlife Conservation Fund to benefit wild pandas and snow leopards.
Disclosure: I was provided with an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles, California to attend the #BeOurGuestEvent. No additional compensation was received.