INTRODUCTION
Snow White by the Brothers Grimm is one of the most popular children book stories in the world. The original setting of the story is deep rooted in old German folklore and landscape, carrying a very European influence.
As a Vietnamese artist living overseas, I wanted to challenge myself with creating a version of Snow White that set in Vietnam around the 19th century (the Nguyen Dynasty), bringing more Vietnamese influences to this world-known fairy tale.
The story begins with the Queen sewing next to the window. Outside, white snow is falling down from the sky. Not long after, she gives birth to a beautiful princess, who she named Snow White.
The forest fairies came home from a long day of work and noticed changes in their house, as if someone has been eating and staying at their place.
Knowing that Snow White is still alive and is living at the little fairies' house, the evil witch cooks up an evil plan involving a poison persimmon.
Main characters line up in Vietnamese 19th century traditional and royal gowns
The 7 forest fairies (versus the 7 dwarfs in the original version) in Southern Vietnamese countryside clothing from the 19th century.
Early composition sketches
Storyboard
Adaptation of plants that are more familiar to the Vietnamese rainforest: Caesar's mushroom, Russula mushroom, Giant Crinum Lily (Vietnamese name translated as "the royal palace virgin", fern, and lady's pink slipper orchid.
Native animals in Vietnamese rainforest
