Dr. Stephanie J. Wong speaks with Director & Writer, Mu Zhengyang and Pearl Studio CEO, Catherine Ying to talk about the beautifully detailed Chinese animation, which reimagines the folklore, The Eight Immortals.

Synopsis:

On a magical island where mortals and Immortals live side by side, a legendary vault is said to hold treasures beyond imagination. Determined to claim its riches, Lv Dongbin and Zhongli Quan devise an audacious plan: masquerade as Immortals and pull of the greatest heist the heavens have ever seen. Along the way, they recruit six unlikely companions: He Xiangu, Tieguai Li, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, Lan Caihe, and Zhang Guolao. Together, these eight ordinary souls embark on an extraordinary adventure, where every step brings them closer to unimaginable riches, and ever greater danger.

What begins as a daring quest soon takes an unexpected turn when the unlikely band finds itself caught in an ancient conspiracy that threatens the fragile balance between the mortal and immortal worlds. As the stakes rise, the fate of both realms may rest in the hands of the most unexpected heroes.

Inspired by the timeless Chinese legend of The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, All Wishes Come True reimagines one of China's most cherished folktales as an epic animated adventure, blending humor, heart, breathtaking action, and richly imagined mythology for audiences of all ages.

The movie was released August 2026 in Australia, New Zealand, US, Canada, British, Netherlands, and Ireland.

*This interview was dubbed with assistance from the interpreter.

Dr. Stephanie J. Wong & David Mura discuss his new book, Exit, Miss Saigon, which explores the evolution of his understanding of his racial identity as a Japanese American man. Specifically, he has ended friendships with White artists due to their differing perspectives on the Miss Saigon casting. He also credits his friendships with BIPOC artists for helping him gain a different insight into racial identity. As an activist, David formed an Asian American arts organization.

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Full Bio:

David Mura is an award winning Japanese American author. His memoirs, poems, essays, plays and performances have won wide critical praise. The topics range from contemporary Japan to the legacy of the internment camps and the history of Japanese Americans in increasing American diversity. His work reflects deeply on the world's current events, which at times create spaces of division and unrest.

His new book. Exit Miss Saigon, though not a memoir, is deeply autobiographical. It tells how David transformed from what could be termed a "banana"—yellow on the outside, white on the inside—into an Asian American writer. This transformation involved breaking up with white artist friends over the racism in Miss Saigon; it involved building a local Asian American arts organization and connecting with Asian American artists nationwide.