White Snake holds a sting in the 'tale'

Linda Jaivin, an Australian Sinologist who assisted in the English subtitle translation of Light Chaser Animation's successful film Chang'an, joined the team for White Snake: Afloat. She has added a unique touch to some poetic lines inspired by classic literature, according to the two directors.

In Chinese mythology and legends, wild beasts are often portrayed as monsters, demons or spirits, with vixens being among the creatures known for their ability to transform into beautiful women. Influenced by such legacy, the White Snake trilogy features a fox spirit with two faces, who has become a popular supporting character due to her captivating appearance and mysterious identity.

In the new movie, Li says, she transitions from being the owner of a weapon workshop in the first film to operating a magic house, helping customers retrieve lost memories in the second film, to becoming the head of an opera troupe, where she performs a work based on Tang Dynasty writer Yuan Zhen's Yingying Zhuan (Yingying's Biography).

"We live in a land saturated and nurtured by cultures thriving over thousands of years. While embarking on a journey to reexamine the historical corners once overlooked, we, as creators, are excited to find numerous inspirations," Li says.

According to Yu Zhou, president of Light Chaser Animation, the studio is scheduled to produce more Chinese culture-based films, with an upcoming adaptation from Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) novelist Pu Songling's Liaozhai Zhiyi (Strange Tales From a Chinese Studio).

"Over the last decade, China's animation film industry has experienced rapid growth, with audiences showing a surging interest in stories that embody traditional cultural elements. This trend may be attributed to the cultural confidence exhibited by young people born after 1995 or the post-2000 generation," Yu says. "However, their expectations for film visuals and animation technology have also increased, necessitating greater efforts from domestic filmmakers."

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn