Cast of Characters
The characters were created by tanivu nota, an indigenous Taiwanese artist born and raised in a small tribal village in the mountains of Alishan. Inspired by her aboriginal background, her artwork displays a stylistic mix of flavors, myths, and traditions. The characters were brought to life by Maximiliane Nirschl, a German interdisciplinary filmmaker, artist, and designer who has worked on award-winning films and immersive media projects.
10 year old Hie sees a big hand come out of the sky. He reaches for it and is suddenly pulled into the heavens on a journey of discovery
the little warrior
In the Cou culture, Hamo is the supreme being, ruling heaven and earth. He brings Hie to the heavens to learn the ways of the warrior
cou supreme being
Oazomu is the divine bird of harvest and brings good luck and prosperity to the tribe. She represents the tribe's connection to the spirit world and the natural environment
divination bird
Fuzu is considered a sacred animal that represents bravery, strength, and vitality. The Tsou people have a deep respect for Fuzu and believe that it is connected to their ancestors and traditional way of life
genie boar
According to legend, the great god Hamo came down to earth and shook a giant maple tree. As the leaves drifted down they turned into the Cou people
creation leaf
Millet is a sacred crop that is closely connected to the Cou’s ancestors and gods. They believe that millet was a gift from the gods, and that the crop contains the power of their ancestors
millet
This wild orchid grows in the mountains of central Taiwan and is a symbol of the Cou people's identity. It is a source of healing, and an integral part of their traditional practices and beliefs
divine flower
The warrior spear is an important symbol for the Cou people, representing bravery, strength, and unity. Hie receives the spear from Hamo to take back to his world and share the ancient wisdom he has learned
warrior spear
An asteroid named after the Cou indigenous people of Taiwan. It was discovered October 2006 by a team of astronomers at the Lulin Observatory, and is located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter