Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1334563
18 cgw j a n • f e b • m a r c h 2 0 2 1 My-Makers T he moon has captivated humans since the dawn of time. It is a source of wonder and mystery. It is also a great influencer of life on Earth – from humans to the creatures on land as well as those in the sea. So, it comes as no surprise that this orb in the sky is at the heart of many myths and legends for cultures around the globe. In China, for instance, there is the legend of Chang'e. The crux of the story is that the beautiful Chang'e fell in love with the archer Houyi, but she took a magic po- tion (the reasons vary) that gave her immor- tality, and then floated to the moon, where she waits for her one and only true love. Known as the Chinese goddess of the moon, Chang'e is celebrated each year on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month with the Mid-Autumn Festival. During this time, families gather to celebrate this important event, during which mooncakes, a bakery delicacy, are served. It is this legend that inspired the animated feature-film Over the Moon, released on Net- flix this past October, which is set against the backdrop of this important Chinese festival. "Every Chinese child grows up knowing the tale of Chang'e and believing that she lives on the moon. There's even a national holiday centered around it. Janet [Yang, executive producer] came up with the idea to tell a modern-day version of the legend through the eyes of a little girl named Fei Fei," says Co-producer Peilin Chou (Abom- inable, Kung Fu Panda 3). "I loved the idea of bringing the tale of Chang'e to a global audience in a contemporary, fresh, and unique way." In Over the Moon, from Pearl Studio (for- merly Oriental DreamWorks), screenwriter Audrey Wells (The Hate U Give, Under the Tuscan Sun) scripted the story of Fei Fei, a A young Fei Fei with her parents as they recount the tale of the moon goddess. Mnstruck ANIMATORS BRING A CHINESE LEGEND TO LIFE BY KAREN MOLTENBREY Images © 2020 Netflix.