"Thru the Moebius Strip," the first made-in-China full-length 3D animation film,
is based on noted French comic artist Jean Giraud's concept.

    Hopes are high for "Thru the Moebius Strip," set for release in August. This first 3D animation film made in China could potentially jump-start the industry, writes Xu Wei.

What is Moebius strip?

    A Moebius strip, named after German mathematician August Ferdinand Mobius (1790-1868), is a continuous one-sided surface that can be formed from a rectangular strip by rotating one end 180 degrees and attaching it to the other end.

    It is the subject of many mathematical mindbenders and puzzlers. In the film it is a multi-dimensional pathway used to rescue the protagonist's magically enchained father.

"Moebius Strip - making a movie about twisted paper?

    Thru the Moebius Strip," the first made-in-China full-length three-dimensional animation film based on a concept by Jean Giraud, a noted French comic artist, looks set to not only reap big profits at the box office, but also ring a clarion call for the renaissance of Chinese animation industry.

    However, this is not an easy job, as this year's summer screen has already featured a number of animation elements, from the full-version puppet animation "Xiyue Qitong" ("Saving Mother") to "Superman Returns" and "Dragon Tiger Gate," adapted from Hong Kong's comic hit.

    Chen Ming, art designer of "Moebius," is still optimistic that the film, which is set to hit screens nationwide on August 4 will be a special visual and audible joy for local audiences. 

    The film is based on an idea by legendary French graphic novelist and Hollywood veteran concept artist Giraud, who broke new ground in comics art in the 1970s with several sci-fi classics like "Star Wars," "Alien," "The Abyss" and "The Fifth Element." "Moebius" is also one of his pseudonyms.

    Giraud creatively incorporates the Moebius Strip in the story as a space-time tunnel, which enables Jac, the 14-year-old hero, to rescue his physicist father, Simon Weir, and conquer the evil emperor on the alien planet.

    Bringing even more Hollywood firepower to the table is veteran screenwriter Jim Cox, a Disney pro whose credits include "Fern Gully." Obviously such an un-Chinese plot, though it is of the "Star Wars" and "The Lord of the Rings" genre, is not what Chinese audiences are used to.

    Mark Hamill, who played the famous role of Luke Skywalker in the first "Star Wars" trilogy, lent his voice to the production, playing Jac's father in the original version in English.

    In addition, some Oriental elements such as kung fu and traditional costume and music have been added to give the epic film a little Chinese feel, a technique that the crew picked up from Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki.