From the Film Maker:

My story is inspired by the curly-haired boy playing the organ, staring at a bird singing happily in its cage, and the relationship between the two. I was interested by the boy’s facial expression: he looks somewhat naive.

The story is about a boy who lives with origami birds, one of which has been hurt. He regards these birds as his family, so feels a deep need to help the injured one.

When the music from the music box is heard, a flower will grow, from which a flare will emerge to touch the broken bird and heal it. However, the music box is broken. Luckily, the other three birds can help the boy to fix it.

I animated the origami birds using stop motion. This is a new technique for me, so I’m quite happy with the look of the birds’ flight. I feel they look harmonious with the 2D background and the central character.

Ying Zhang

A piece inspired by William Hogarth, The Graham Children, 1742