BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- After four years in production, "Curious Tales of a Temple," the latest animated feature from Chinese studio Light Chaser Animation, premiered on Saturday.

With a runtime of 152 minutes, the film begins in an ancient well, where a young man visits the mysterious Lanruo Temple. At the bottom of the well, he encounters two spirits who force him to listen to their tales. In turn, he shares a magical story of his own, leading to a captivating narrative filled with wonder.

The animation draws on five classic tales from writer Pu Songling (1640-1715)'s "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio," which stands as one of China's most influential story collection of ghosts, spirits, and other supernatural creatures.

These five distinct stories are intricately woven together through a story-telling contest at the bottom of the well. Six directors, each with their own unique visual style, collaborated to bring to life a rich and fantastical world in "Strange Tales."

"Each chapter explores a different emotional theme -- greed, sincerity, love in chaos, marital devotion, and love that transcends life and death. Together they form a complete arc of emotional growth culminating in a tender reflection on the human heart," said producer Song Yiyi.

Song added that Light Chaser hopes these stories convey the enduring Chinese values, such as genuine compassion, and she is confident that their message will resonate with audiences.

The film employs a variety of artistic styles and creatively reinterprets the original tales to offer a refreshing audiovisual experience. "The Master of Laoshan" tells the story of a man obsessed with becoming immortal. He finally meets a Daoist master and learns a magical skill that allows him to pass through walls. However, when he returns home to show off his new talent, his lack of humility disrupts the spell. This chapter uses felt art, a first in Chinese cinema. Director Cui Yuemei revealed that, although it is only 15 minutes long, the rendering of hair alone rivals that of a full-length feature.

"Princess Lotus" transforms what was originally a tale for adults into a story of innocent friendship between two children. Set in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it blends fantasy and reality. Flowers bloom, insects flutter, characters soar, brimming with childlike wonder.

"I hope the chapter awakens joyful childhood memories of pure friendship among adults, while creating a dreamlike fairy tale world for children. This is a gift for everyone," said director Xie Junwei, who also directed "Chang'an."

"Nie Xiaoqian" is one of the most iconic ghostly figures in Chinese folklore. Once trapped by an evil demon, she's forced to harm humans, but her encounter with the virtuous scholar Ning Caichen sparks a haunting yet tender romance that transcends life itself.

"We've set the story in a time of turbulence, to add emotional tension and conflict," said director Zou Jing, adding the backdrop makes the relationship between Nie and Ning more poignant and resilient.

"Painted Skin" is a household legend in China, in which a demon disguises herself as a beautiful lady by wearing painted human skin. Beneath her alluring appearance hides a monstrous creature that feeds on human hearts. The story explores themes of deception, temptation, and the danger of trusting appearances.

The "Painted Skin" chapter draws heavily on elements from traditional Chinese paintings to showcase the aesthetics and charm of Oriental art, according to director Huang Heyu.

"Miss Lu" is a less known story by Pu. However, director Liu Yuan said the team was moved by the tale's emotional intensity. The story was reimagined in a modern context to better convey the transcendent love between Zhang Yudan and Lu Ying, the woman who captured his heart at first sight.

Miss Lu dies in a tragic accident, but with Zhang's unwavering support, she is reincarnated and begins a new life. Sixteen years later, fate brings them together once more, as they overcome countless obstacles to rediscover their emotional bond that defies time.

In recent years, Light Chaser Animation has actively explored China's rich cultural heritage through films like "New Gods: Nezha Reborn""Chang'an" and "White Snake: Afloat." It has built an animation style that blends traditional culture with contemporary storytelling.

As Light Chaser's most complex and time-consuming production to date, "Curious Tales of a Temple" is the second installment in its "New Culture" series, following Chang'an, which was released in 2023 and grossed 1.8 billion yuan (about 250 million US dollars) at the box office.

According to Yu Zhou, president of Light Chaser Animation, the "New Culture" series draws inspiration from revered Chinese historical figures and literary classics, aiming to reintroduce their legendary stories with modern animation. The aim is to deepen public understanding and appreciation of China's rich historical legacy, igniting a sense of national pride.

"We hope 'Curious Tales of a Temple' will carry forward and enrich the 'New Culture' series. In terms of its aesthetics, storytelling, and emotional resonance, we aspire for it to become another culturally iconic work," Yu added. ■