Dongguan, October 25 (China News Service) – On the evening of October 24, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Animation Film Week held its “Yongsheng Animation Night” event in Dongguan. During the event, the much-anticipated second installment of the “Eastern Legends” series, titled “The Phoenix and Me,” was announced. The film is currently in production and is slated for release in 2027.
In his speech, Song Zhiqin, the Executive Deputy Director of the Film Arts Center of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, emphasized the balance between respecting tradition and embracing innovation in animation filmmaking. He expressed his expectation that “The Phoenix and Me” would showcase the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture to a global audience, providing a fantastical window into Eastern legends and cultural heritage.
The inspiration for the film stems from the creative team’s exploration of the distinctive culture of the Lingnan region. Producer Zhao Jianchao explained, “We aim to tell a Chinese story from the perspective of Lingnan’s regional culture. Films like ‘Moana,’ ‘Coco,’ and ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ have achieved great success by innovatively expressing unique regional cultures. It is only when regional culture is set against the backdrop of global culture that its individuality and appeal can truly shine.”
“The Phoenix and Me” tells a fantastical love story between humans and monsters over thousands of years in ancient times. It is depicted as an epic of female growth during the ancient era, portraying the struggles of early people who revered the mythical bird as a totem in their pursuit of survival and freedom.
In recent years, Chinese animated films have been diversifying in themes and genres. When asked about the relatively uncommon choice of love as a central theme in domestic animation, Zhao noted, “Some young people might be skeptical about love, but that doesn’t mean they don’t yearn for it. There is still an audience and market for romantic themes.” He added that the titles “Phoenix” and “Dragon” symbolize love in themselves. The love story presented in “The Phoenix and Me” spans millennia, portrayed in a way that is “primordial,” “direct,” and “passionate,” aligning with modern aesthetic values. Furthermore, the film centers around strong female character development, using the phoenix as a symbol of women’s growth.
To richly and accurately represent the cultural icon of “phoenix,” the creative team drew inspiration from various regions, including the Qianhu Miao Village, Zhaoxing Dong Village, and the ancient city of Fenghuang. They conducted extensive research into the Sanxingdui culture, Yin Ruins culture, and ancient Chu culture during the visual development phase. Zhao highlighted that the concept of the “Winged People” in the film is inspired by the bird-human imagery found in the ancient Shu civilization of Sanxingdui, integrating elements like golden masks, bronze masks, and patterns into the characters’ costumes and accessories.