With inspirations from canal cities like Venice and Amsterdam, the movie assembled a team of over 50 special effects artists. They were divided into two teams, with one group responsible for creating big action scenes, such as explosions or floods, and the other group in charge of bringing the characters to life.

"Every piece of fantasy starts from something real, and this was our biggest challenge. We built brick by brick a city which I would call an immaculate reality," says Sohn.

Beyond its stunning visuals, the film explores a timeless and relatable theme: the conflict between following one's dreams and fulfilling one's parental obligations. Despite her father's wishes for her to take over the family grocery store after he retires, Ember Lumen, who has a natural talent for art, yearns to explore the world beyond.

Sohn says that Ripple, the Water man, growing up in a vastly different environment that allows him to pursue his dreams, creates a contrast that helps the audiences connect with the female protagonist's struggles and encourages them to reflect on their own pursuits.

For the veteran filmmaker, who has worked in Pixar for more than two decades, the most valuable thing is that the artists could share their ideas in a safe environment.

"When you pitch your ideas or tell a story, having supportive yet critical people around you can be invaluable, regardless of whether the idea is good or bad," he explains.

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn