Latest feature Films
Mu-Yi, la légende du village des femmes
Mu-Yi lives in a remote village inhabited only by women. As she uncovers the secrets of her community, everything she believes is challenged. Torn between tradition, freedom and self-determination, she sets out to find her own path.
In present-day China, 14-year-old Mu-Yi lives with her grandmother in a remote mountain village that has been inhabited solely by women for generations. When a travelling opera troupe arrives in the village for the Festival of the Dead and performs the famous story of the “The Handsome General”, old secrets are brought to life and a forgotten spirit threatens to upset the balance of the community.
In her search for answers, Mu-Yi discovers a mysterious helmet that links her to the legendary general. Journeying between the present time and mythical tales, she grapples with her ancestors’ stories, her own identity and origins, and questions of who she truly wants to be.
“Mu-Yi, la légende du village des femmes” is the first feature-length film directed solely by Julien Chheng. The French director previously made a name for himself as co-director of “Ernest et Célestine: A Trip to Gibberitia”. In his film, Chheng interweaves influences of Chinese painting, calligraphy and traditional opera, thereby fusing adventure and fantasy with historical legends.
Chheng tells a story of female self-determination, memory and the connection between the past and present. The film celebrated its world premiere at the Annecy Festival in 2026 and is being screened in Switzerland for the first time at Fantoche. (Xenia Nguyen)
In present-day China, 14-year-old Mu-Yi lives with her grandmother in a remote mountain village that has been inhabited solely by women for generations. When a travelling opera troupe arrives in the village for the Festival of the Dead and performs the famous story of the “The Handsome General”, old secrets are brought to life and a forgotten spirit threatens to upset the balance of the community.
In her search for answers, Mu-Yi discovers a mysterious helmet that links her to the legendary general. Journeying between the present time and mythical tales, she grapples with her ancestors’ stories, her own identity and origins, and questions of who she truly wants to be.
“Mu-Yi, la légende du village des femmes” is the first feature-length film directed solely by Julien Chheng. The French director previously made a name for himself as co-director of “Ernest et Célestine: A Trip to Gibberitia”. In his film, Chheng interweaves influences of Chinese painting, calligraphy and traditional opera, thereby fusing adventure and fantasy with historical legends.
Chheng tells a story of female self-determination, memory and the connection between the past and present. The film celebrated its world premiere at the Annecy Festival in 2026 and is being screened in Switzerland for the first time at Fantoche. (Xenia Nguyen)
Info
Duration 90'