Original-Cin Q&A: Star Cathy Ang on Playing Smart, Cool, Inspirational Girl in Over the Moon
By Bonnie Laufer
Over the Moon is a new animated musical adventure directed by Oscar winner Glen Keane, best-known for the animated classics The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Tangled, among others.
The family-friendly story centres around Fei Fei, a bright young girl who builds a rocket ship to the moon to prove the existence of the Moon Goddess from the Chinese mythology tales she heard as a child from her mother.
Over the Moon features an entirely Asian voice cast that includes newcomer Cathy Ang plus Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Ruthie Ann Miles, Margaret Cho, and Sandra Oh.
Our Bonnie Laufer spoke with Cathy Ang, who was… ahem… over the moon about landing the coveted role of Fei Fei.
Click here to watch Bonnie’s interview with director Glen Keane. And read our review of Over the Moon.
Original-Cin: What was your initial reaction when you found out you got the lead role of Fei Fei?
Cathy Ang: Pretty much disbelief and pure shock. I honestly couldn't believe it and it is such a dream come true. When I first found out, I sat silently stunned for a little bit and then I started bawling!
OC: Once you calmed down and really got to go through the script and the heart of Fei Fei’s story, what moved you?
CA: It’s just such a beautiful story about community, healing, and moving through loss. I think the world is in a really strange place right now. We didn't even know that this was going to happen of course, but everyone in the world is experiencing this pandemic and grieving something right now. So, getting to tell this story about these two women who lift each other up and help each other find love and joy again, you can't help but feel proud to be a part of that story and so moved when you watch the movie. I cry every single time I watch it.
OC: I love Fei Fei’s will, her spirit, and her determination. She is a wonderful role model for young girls. How much did you relate to her?
CA: I hope a lot because she's the coolest girl in the entire world and on the moon (laughs). I love her passion for science and space exploration and so do I. So, I related to her in that way. It was exciting to be able to bring my own joy to the new innovative things going on in her life. I feel the same way. When she faces a problem, she's stubborn but it's also really beautiful to watch how determined and confident she is to solve the problem. She believes in herself and sometimes I wish I had more confidence like Fei Fei. I think she's a fantastic role model for young girls.
OC: You must also feel very proud.
CA: Absolutely. This is the first time that, as a Chinese-Filipino-American, I’m getting to play a Chinese character. So, it’s very exciting for me to be able to share my family’s culture and some of our traditions, and I feel really proud that it’s getting represented on screen.
OC: There is an importance that lies with everyone in the voice cast being of Asian descent, but this movie is definitely a universal story and will certainty appeal to everyone.
PROUDLY SUPPORTS ORIGINAL-CIN
CA: There are Asian creatives on both sides of the table so I feel that there is representation Yes, it's an all-Asian cast, but we don't have to worry about ‘presenting’ as Asian because we just are and so we bring who we are and the humans that we are to the forefront.
I feel that this story actually becomes more relatable because it's so specific. To me it's really about our experiences as humans. Everyone in the world experiences family strife at some time, we all experience loss at some time. We all experience excitement and the unknown. We all want to have adventures like this girl does.
Fei Fei more than anything is motivated by love and watching her do everything that might seem impossible and because she loves so much, I think it's inspiring for the entire world. Everyone should love the way that Fei Fei loves.
Over The Moon streams on Netflix beginning October 23.