Muyi

Young teenager Muyi lives in a village on a mountaintop in China reserved exclusively for women. Raised by her grandmother, she’s had to adhere to the strict rules within her community, but has a youthful curiosity for what might exist beyond.

When a group of travelling theatre performers arrive, Muyi becomes entranced with them and the story they perform, The Handsome General. It’s a tale of a mystical warrior whose devastatingly good looks require him to wear a mask to frighten off anyone who should gaze upon him. The performance causes a calamity among the village women, and very quickly certain ancient secrets start to reveal themselves. The world opens up to Muyi in ways she never expected. Her adventure beyond home has her encountering peculiar characters, including a vegetarian tiger and a magical guide.

Filmmaker Julien Chheng, alongside his co-screenwriter Sujuan Xu, has crafted a gorgeous animated film showcasing a young woman coming of age, trying to find her space, and looking for a sense of belonging. As time passes, she finds that writing your own destiny is the most important adventure of all. Muyi is a charming, imaginative, and visually stunning experience, one that tells us that some legends and myths can carry more weight once you start to unravel the entire picture.

JUNE KIM

Content advisory: may frighten young children, mature themes