Animated images of late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping are shown in the upcoming documentary Mr. Deng goes to Washington. [Photo/Agencies]

24-year-old Zhu Yuchen, a graduate student in animation at the Beijing Film Academy who has also drawn cartoons for leaders including former premier Wen Jiabao, is the mastermind behind the animated images of Deng.

Among the three versions of images he drew, director Fu Hongxng chose to use the version which was moderately realist.

"Deng's animated images are not static in the film. When he's at meetings, the images are more serious, and when he's at a gala, he's portrayed in a more lively way," said Zhu.

For the young animator, animation can tell the story of that period of history better to younger viewers.

"At fist glance, animation may seem simple, but in reality, we need to do a large amount of homework, like checking what dishes were served at a dinner or what paintings were displayed in a particular room."

Zhu said he and the team went through a lot of historical documents and reviewed video footages in the process of creation.