生之爱

In the midst of ethereal, compassionate Sanskrit chants, a desolate land where all things wither. A single sprout, newly germinated, breaks through the soil. This seed grows a head, forms eyes, sprouts arms and then legs—finally, he can leave this earth and explore the wondrous world beyond. Filled with curiosity about everything, the seed-child sees a mother duck and her ducklings waddling by, so he weaves a little duckling hat from bellflowers and tiptoes after them into the pond. Unfortunately, the seed-child cannot swim, and he struggles alone back to the shore. He hopes to befriend the monkeys, but none of the animal communities can accept him. Heartbroken, the seed-child buries his head and weeps, as if the entire world has abandoned him. Until, at last, he finds himself. He decides to transform into a flower that smiles upon the world—an ordinary, smiling blossom. This richly Zen-inspired animated short, created by female director Bu Hua for the Xi'an International Animation Film Festival, features the music from *Himalaya*, which was nominated for Best Film Music at the Cannes Film Festival. *Love of Life* won the First Golden Flash Annual Best Award and the Web Animation Single Drama Award, and was selected for the 14th French Les Nuits Magiques International Animation Festival.