Program Note
Thirteen years after trapping his sister beneath a volcano, Yang Jian, once a powerful warrior, is now a penniless bounty hunter. When a mysterious woman offers him a new commission, Yang Jian realizes he’s chasing a familiar figure, his long-lost nephew, Chenxiang, who is searching for a magical lantern to set his mother free, even if it means disaster. In the end, Yang Jian is forced to confront his past actions while searching for his nephew, leading to new confrontations with dangerous villains in search of a treasure with the power to change the balance of the world. Director Zhao Ji and the production team behind the box office successes White Snake and New Gods: Nezha Reborn bring a world of ancient legends and new gods to life in a sci-fi setting, with stunning action sequences that showcase animation at its most Chinese. (Charles Chulsoo KIM)