MUYI — Muyi, la légende du village des femmes

Myths can often bring us closer to certain truths, to grasp the in/tangible and make meaning out of the in/explicable. With a strong belief in mythmaking to process realities, director Julien Chheng and co-writer Sujuan Xu transport us into the lush and exhaustive world of Muyi, a spunky girl who is raised in a secluded village on a mountaintop where men are forbidden. After witnessing the performance of The Handsome General by a travelling opera troupe, Muyi sets off on an epic journey accompanied by a motley crew of companions and an evocative original score by Amin Goudarzi.

There is no simple brushstroke when it comes to Muyi, an independent production that took nearly 10 years to complete and an impressive feat within the animation world. Just as Muyi is compelled by the Handsome General, we are compelled by her character, companions, and the myths about her world, which are intentionally grounded within real people, traditions, customs, and lived experiences. Ultimately, Muyi becomes a myth for self-acceptance to dream, hold on to, and retell.

– Kelly Lui