Over the Moon (1939) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie takes place in two distinct worlds: a modern-day small town on Earth and the magical moon kingdom of Lunaria. The Earth setting features a contemporary small town that celebrates the Moon Festival, while Lunaria is a fantastical realm inspired by Chinese legends, inhabited by celestial beings and magical creatures.

• setting
• locations
• lunaria
• earth

Lunaria is the mythical moon kingdom in the film, inspired by Chinese legends about the moon goddess Chang'e. It serves as a celestial realm filled with magical creatures and divine figures, representing the mythical celestial world where the goddess resides.

• lunaria
• moon kingdom
• chang'e
• mythology

The film is set in modern times, as evidenced by the presence of a MagLev train and contemporary small-town settings. The story combines these modern elements with traditional cultural traditions like the Moon Festival and a fantastical storyline involving celestial beings.

• time period
• modern day
• contemporary

The film explores two central themes: love and loss, and imagination and dreams. The love and loss theme follows Fei Fei's journey processing her mother's death and learning to accept new relationships. The imagination theme centers on Fei Fei's determination to build a rocket to the moon, symbolizing the power of childhood dreams and hope.

• themes
• love
• loss
• imagination
• dreams

Fei Fei is a curious and imaginative young girl who is deeply affected by her mother's passing. Driven by her desire to reconnect with her family's cultural roots and her father, she decides to build a rocket to the moon. Her character embodies innocence, hope, and resilience as she learns to accept change and find happiness in new relationships.

• fei fei
• protagonist
• main character

Chang'e is the moon goddess depicted in the film. She is initially portrayed as vain and somewhat aloof but ultimately compassionate. Her storyline highlights themes of loneliness and emotional growth, as she transforms from a distant deity into someone who learns to open her heart again after experiencing loss.

• chang'e
• moon goddess
• deity

The Moon Festival is a traditional celebration depicted in the film that takes place in Fei Fei's small town on Earth. It represents the family's cultural traditions and serves as an important connection to their heritage. The festival is intertwined with the film's fantastical elements, linking the earthly celebration to the mythical moon kingdom.

• moon festival
• tradition
• celebration
• culture

The film delivers a message about healing after loss and the power of imagination. It emphasizes that love endures beyond physical absence and that healing is possible through acceptance and new beginnings. The story encourages viewers to pursue their dreams, no matter how outlandish they may seem, while also learning to embrace change.

• message
• meaning
• healing
• acceptance

Mrs. Zhong is a caring woman who becomes part of Fei Fei's family. She tries to support the family while respecting Fei Fei's feelings about her mother's memory. Her relationship with Ba Ba (Fei Fei's father) represents new beginnings following loss, and she embodies warmth, patience, and understanding throughout the story.

• mrs zhong
• stepmother
• family

The moon represents multiple symbolic meanings in the film: it is a realm of imagination and childhood dreams, a connection to cultural heritage and family traditions, and a metaphor for loss and longing. The journey to the moon symbolizes both the pursuit of the impossible and the process of healing from grief.

• moon
• symbolism
• metaphor
• dreams