Screened at the Horniman Museum, London, on February 26 2015, on the occasion of the Chinese New Year event.

The passage from the old to the new year/spring, that in China are both happening at the same time during the New Year's Eve , a party that goes on for 15 days, starting with the new moon and ending with the full moon.
There’s an ancient myth about this celebration, narrating of an half lion-half bull monster called Nian (that at the same time represents the year, since 'Nian' in Chinese means 'year'), that every new year came and destroyed villages and eat people, until one day they discovered he could be chased away with strong lights, the colour red and loud noises.

 

Animation: Chiara Sgatti

Composer: Tommaso Ferrini