Winsing Animation, Bilibili, and Alibaba Pictures have unveiled their collaboration on the neo-Chinese animated feature, Into the Mortal World, that’s set to launch on 12 July 2024. Winsing Animation VP Yan Bing revealed the film’s trailer and premiere date at the Guangzhou-Europe Promotion Conference during the Annecy International Animation Festival.
Into the Mortal World weaves an enchanting tale of Jinfeng, a descendant of the legendary Weaver Girl, who descends from the divine world tasked with subduing the Mansion Spirits to redeem his mother’s actions. His path intertwines with Fanning, a spirited mortal girl determined to ascend to the divine realm to reunite with her mother. Together, they form an unlikely alliance, navigating celestial battles, and forging heartwarming bonds. As they unravel the mysteries of their destinies, their unwavering pursuit of family shows the profound importance of love and connection that transcends even the boundaries between worlds.
Built upon the story of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, one of China’s four great folk tales, which is deeply embedded in the hearts of generations, the film ventures into a creative space largely untouched in previous narratives, offering a fresh perspective on this cherished Chinese folktale.
The film’s story finds its roots in a 2020 Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts graduation project that garnered recognition and support where it was assisted by Winsing Animation’s Young Animation Artist Support Program and Iron Fan Studio offered technical guidance. The short film amassed millions of views on Bilibili, a Chinese video-sharing platform, and sparked engagement. This reception solidified its potential, paving the way for its expansion into a full-length animated feature.
The feature brings the mythology of the 28 Mansion Spirits, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture, to the big screen. The film is also a visual feast that showcases the exquisite beauty of Eastern aesthetics. The divine world is depicted as an ethereal realm of flowing fabrics and intricate weaving patterns. The mortal world, inspired by China’s Song Dynasty, draws upon historical references like “Song Dynasty Daily Life” and “A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains” to capture the bustling vibrancy of human existence.
Directed by the Zhong Ding, it is a culmination of the collective efforts of over 50 top-tier production teams and more than 2,000 animation artists, crafted over five years.
