Lu Ling

Lu Ling, known in English as The Deer Bell, is a celebrated cel-animated short film produced by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio in 1982. Created during a period of revitalization for Chinese animation, the film drew heavily from traditional aesthetic sensibilities, eschewing contemporary international styles in favor of a lyrical, atmospheric approach that mirrored the brushwork and composition of classical Chinese ink-wash painting.

The film was co-directed by Tang Cheng and Wu Qiang, who sought to capture a sense of wonder and moral clarity through the story of a young girl and a magical deer. The production is widely regarded as a technical triumph for its use of the 'ink-wash animation' technique, a complex process that effectively translated the subtle gradients and fluid movement of water-based ink onto celluloid, garnering significant acclaim at international film festivals for its distinct cultural identity.