Chinese cartoons: Uproar In Heaven (大闹天宫) ~ Chinese Movies&TV

“Uproar in Heaven”, also known as “Havoc in Heaven”, is the milestone of Chinese animation and one of the most influential films in all of Asia. The film was created at the height of the Chinese animation industry in the 1960s and received numerous awards. It earned domestic and international recognition.

The story is based on the earliest chapters of the classic story “Journey to the West”. The main character, Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, rebelled against the Jade Emperor of Heaven.

The drums and percussion accompaniment used in this film are heavily influenced by Beijing Opera traditions. The stylized animation praised the bravery and wit of Sun Wukong and criticized the tyranny of the Jade Emperor.

Because of the excellent storyline as well as the exquisite production, it received a variety of international and domestic awards, at the 1978 International London Film Festival, the 2nd Chinese Film Hundred Flowers Festival and the Czech Republic Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.