In one extract from the Annecy online presentation of banner French production “The Summit of the Gods,” a climber steels himself to jump over a huge, gaping, seemingly bottomless crevasse, its ice walls tinged a lethal dark blue – cold that will kill you quickly.
Running at the crevasse, the climber flings himself into the air. Cut to a shot of his landing on the snow on the other side, gasping in relief.
This is, of course, the stuff of a live action film. Yet “The Summit of the Gods” is animation, and mostly 2D animation at that.
“Animation can talk about any subject but differently from live action,” says Folivari’s Didier Brunner, one of its producers. Sold by Wild Bunch, and produced by Jean-Charles Ostorero’s Julianne Films, Didier and Damien Brunner’s Folivari and Stéphane Roélants’ Melusine Productions, “The Summit of the Gods” bears him out.
The story,...
Running at the crevasse, the climber flings himself into the air. Cut to a shot of his landing on the snow on the other side, gasping in relief.
This is, of course, the stuff of a live action film. Yet “The Summit of the Gods” is animation, and mostly 2D animation at that.
“Animation can talk about any subject but differently from live action,” says Folivari’s Didier Brunner, one of its producers. Sold by Wild Bunch, and produced by Jean-Charles Ostorero’s Julianne Films, Didier and Damien Brunner’s Folivari and Stéphane Roélants’ Melusine Productions, “The Summit of the Gods” bears him out.
The story,...
- 6/16/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Contrary to the alarmist accounts that cinema as an art form is agonizing and nearing the end of its relevance, 2016 sent a clear message stating that sequels, rehashed ideas, and spinoffs, deserved to be axed and replaced with new concepts — even if that means less billion-dollar tent poles per year. Of course, independent and international films are the heroes that continue to reignite audiences passion for the medium, though most of them struggle to achieve the financial success they deserve.
Cinema is far from dead, and that’s obvious if one is looking away from the star-studded formulaic products and into the land of unknown, subtitled, or thematically challenging content. Latin American films had an enviable year that include an Oscar nomination, presence at all world-class festivals, and success finding distribution in the Us and numerous markets. Animated crafted outside of studio constraints took narrative risks unseen previously and demonstrated...
Cinema is far from dead, and that’s obvious if one is looking away from the star-studded formulaic products and into the land of unknown, subtitled, or thematically challenging content. Latin American films had an enviable year that include an Oscar nomination, presence at all world-class festivals, and success finding distribution in the Us and numerous markets. Animated crafted outside of studio constraints took narrative risks unseen previously and demonstrated...
- 12/30/2016
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
There are a multitude of reasons why any film may get unfairly overlooked. It could be a lack of marketing resources to provide a substantial push, or, due to a minuscule roll-out, not enough critics and audiences to be the champions it might require. It could simply be the timing of the picture itself; even in the world of studio filmmaking, some features take time to get their due. With an increasingly crowded marketplace, there are more reasons than ever that something might not find an audience and, as with last year, we’ve rounded up the releases that deserved more attention.
Note that all of the below films made less than $1 million at the domestic box office at the time of posting — VOD figures are not accounted for, as they normally aren’t made public — and are, for the most part, left out of most year-end conversations. Sadly, most...
Note that all of the below films made less than $1 million at the domestic box office at the time of posting — VOD figures are not accounted for, as they normally aren’t made public — and are, for the most part, left out of most year-end conversations. Sadly, most...
- 12/29/2016
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Every week we dive into the cream of the crop when it comes to home releases, including Blu-ray and DVDs, as well as recommended deals of the week. Check out our rundown below and return every Tuesday for the best (or most interesting) films one can take home. Note that if you’re looking to support the site, every purchase you make through the links below helps us and is greatly appreciated.
April and the Extraordinary World (Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci)
Most writing on Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci‘s April and the Extraordinary World speaks as though they’ve adapted one of revered Frenchman Jacques Tardi‘s graphic novels. This isn’t quite the case. What they’ve actually done is bring his unique “universe” to life with help from previous collaborator Benjamin Legrand (writer of Tardi’s Tueur de cafards) instead. Legrand and Ekinci crafted this alternate...
April and the Extraordinary World (Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci)
Most writing on Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci‘s April and the Extraordinary World speaks as though they’ve adapted one of revered Frenchman Jacques Tardi‘s graphic novels. This isn’t quite the case. What they’ve actually done is bring his unique “universe” to life with help from previous collaborator Benjamin Legrand (writer of Tardi’s Tueur de cafards) instead. Legrand and Ekinci crafted this alternate...
- 8/2/2016
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options — not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves — we’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight the titles that have recently hit the interwebs. Every week, one will be able to see the cream of the crop (or perhaps some simply interesting picks) of streaming titles (new and old) across platforms such as Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and more (note: U.S. only). Check out our rundown for this week’s selections below.
April and the Extraordinary World (Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci)
Most writing on Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci‘s April and the Extraordinary World speaks as though they’ve adapted one of revered Frenchman Jacques Tardi‘s graphic novels. This isn’t quite the case. What they’ve actually done is bring his unique “universe” to life with help from previous collaborator Benjamin Legrand (writer of...
April and the Extraordinary World (Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci)
Most writing on Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci‘s April and the Extraordinary World speaks as though they’ve adapted one of revered Frenchman Jacques Tardi‘s graphic novels. This isn’t quite the case. What they’ve actually done is bring his unique “universe” to life with help from previous collaborator Benjamin Legrand (writer of...
- 7/22/2016
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Later this week, 2016 will cross the halfway mark, so now’s the time to take a look back at its first six months and round up our favorite films thus far. While the end of this year will bring personal favorites from all of our writers, think of the below 30 entries as a comprehensive rundown of what should be seen before heading into a promising fall line-up.
As a note, this feature is based solely on U.S. theatrical releases from 2016, with many currently widely available on home video, streaming platforms, or theatrically. Check them out below, as organized alphabetically, followed by honorable mentions and films to keep on your radar for the remaining summer months. One can also see the full list on Letterboxd.
10 Cloverfield Lane (Dan Trachtenberg)
Forget the Cloverfield connection. The actors who were in this film didn’t even know what the title was until moments before the first trailer dropped.
As a note, this feature is based solely on U.S. theatrical releases from 2016, with many currently widely available on home video, streaming platforms, or theatrically. Check them out below, as organized alphabetically, followed by honorable mentions and films to keep on your radar for the remaining summer months. One can also see the full list on Letterboxd.
10 Cloverfield Lane (Dan Trachtenberg)
Forget the Cloverfield connection. The actors who were in this film didn’t even know what the title was until moments before the first trailer dropped.
- 6/28/2016
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Shanghai International Film Festival unveils 2016 line-up.Scroll down for full list of awards
Longman Leung and Sunny Luk’s Cold War 2 [pictured], the sequel to Edko Films’ hit 2012 action thriller, will open this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival (June 11-19).
Meanwhile, Werner Herzog’s Salt And Fire, Bruce Beresford’s Mr Church and Cao Baoping’s Coke And Bull are among the films selected for the Golden Goblet Awards (see full list below).
As previously announced the competition jury is headed by Emir Kusturica and also includes Atom Egoyan, Daniele Luchetti, African filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako (Timbuktu), Tibetan filmmaker Pema Tseden (Tharlo), Hong Kong actress Karena Lam and Chinese writer Yan Geling.
Japanese filmmaker Kazuo Hara will oversee a separate jury for documentaries, while Swiss animation director George Schwizgebel heads the jury for animated films.
Siff also unveiled nominations in six categories for the Asian New Talent Awards, which has a jury headed by Hong Kong filmmaker...
Longman Leung and Sunny Luk’s Cold War 2 [pictured], the sequel to Edko Films’ hit 2012 action thriller, will open this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival (June 11-19).
Meanwhile, Werner Herzog’s Salt And Fire, Bruce Beresford’s Mr Church and Cao Baoping’s Coke And Bull are among the films selected for the Golden Goblet Awards (see full list below).
As previously announced the competition jury is headed by Emir Kusturica and also includes Atom Egoyan, Daniele Luchetti, African filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako (Timbuktu), Tibetan filmmaker Pema Tseden (Tharlo), Hong Kong actress Karena Lam and Chinese writer Yan Geling.
Japanese filmmaker Kazuo Hara will oversee a separate jury for documentaries, while Swiss animation director George Schwizgebel heads the jury for animated films.
Siff also unveiled nominations in six categories for the Asian New Talent Awards, which has a jury headed by Hong Kong filmmaker...
- 6/3/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Werner Herzog’s thriller Salt And Fire will have its world premiere at the festival.
Longman Leung and Sunny Luk’s Cold War 2 [pictured], the sequel to Edko Films’ hit 2012 action thriller, will open this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival (June 11-19).
Meanwhile, Werner Herzog’s Salt And Fire, Bruce Beresford’s Mr Church and Cao Baoping’s Coke And Bull are among the films selected for the Golden Goblet Awards (see full list below).
As previously announced the competition jury is headed by Emir Kusturica and also includes Atom Egoyan, Daniele Luchetti, African filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako (Timbuktu), Tibetan filmmaker Pema Tseden (Tharlo), Hong Kong actress Karena Lam and Chinese writer Yan Geling.
Japanese filmmaker Kazuo Hara will oversee a separate jury for documentaries, while Swiss animation director George Schwizgebel heads the jury for animated films.
Siff also unveiled nominations in six categories for the Asian New Talent Awards, which has a jury...
Longman Leung and Sunny Luk’s Cold War 2 [pictured], the sequel to Edko Films’ hit 2012 action thriller, will open this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival (June 11-19).
Meanwhile, Werner Herzog’s Salt And Fire, Bruce Beresford’s Mr Church and Cao Baoping’s Coke And Bull are among the films selected for the Golden Goblet Awards (see full list below).
As previously announced the competition jury is headed by Emir Kusturica and also includes Atom Egoyan, Daniele Luchetti, African filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako (Timbuktu), Tibetan filmmaker Pema Tseden (Tharlo), Hong Kong actress Karena Lam and Chinese writer Yan Geling.
Japanese filmmaker Kazuo Hara will oversee a separate jury for documentaries, while Swiss animation director George Schwizgebel heads the jury for animated films.
Siff also unveiled nominations in six categories for the Asian New Talent Awards, which has a jury...
- 6/3/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
An invention, the tangible result from an idea constructed in the human imagination, represents a piece in the puzzle that is the course of progress whether it means advancement through bellic endeavors, the simplification of tasks, or the preservation of life. Modern civilization is the result of a sequence of inventions and discoveries that evolved through the efforts of tireless men and woman dedicated to science and technology; however, as it’s always the case, mankind has been know to use its most creative minds for selfish and power-hungry pursuits.
Setting these concepts and preoccupations in an alternative steampunk reality based on the graphic novel by Jacques Tardi, Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci’s “April and the Extraordinary World” navigates the curious possibility of a world where innovation stalled and in which humans must deal with the ramifications of this occurrence and adapt their lifestyles to the available practices. What emerges from this concoction of brilliant notions inspired by the source material and the filmmakers’ input is a highly ingenious and sumptuously designed tale anchored to an assertive, intellectual, and unconventional heroine. This delightfully sophisticated charmer firmly establishes itself as a visual marvel and one of the most originally confected animated films ever made.
Distancing its premise from similarly themed science fiction escapades, which work under the pretense that audiences must accept the universe at hand without much insight into its inner workings and origins, the film commences with a brief introduction that singles out a historical event responsible for the retrograde state of development. In this whimsical revision set in the mid-1900s Napoleon's lineage still reigns, as a major conflict with France's major enemy to the east was avoided. The consequential outcome for this deviation is a world in which coal, rather than oil, becomes the preferred fuel leading to massive deforestation and smog substitutes air. Scientists are perceived as a commodity whose brilliance must benefit the empire in its pursuit of new lands with forests to harvest. Fighting a war with the Us over Canada’s natural resources to fulfill its power needs is France’s priority while another threat develops under its surface.
Academically gifted an empowered by an audacious spirit, April (Marion Cotillard) is a young woman whose perpetual mission is to find her parents, Paul (Olivier Gourmet) and Annette (Macha Grenon), and grandfather Pops (Jean Rochefort), all of whom are scientist that disappeared 10 years prior under mysterious circumstances after being persecuted by the authorities just as they were about to test a serum that would make any living creature immortal. Now, April, whose chemistry knowledge is unparalleled, is attempting to recreate said formula and reunite with her singular pack.
Given that her venture and those of her immediate family have such immeasurable stakes, there are a few less than friendly figures seeking to capture her. Pizoni (Bouli Lanners), a robust, arrogant, and insanely persistent officer, wishes to use her as a vehicle for discovering where Pops is. Enlisting Julius (Marc-André Grondin), a scrawny young man willing to do the dirty work to avoid punishment for his deeds, to follow her, Pizoni hopes to regain the status he lost because of April’s folks. Thankfully, the brave girl has her talking cat Darwin (Philippe Katerine) as her most valuable comrade. Talking animals have never been so unforgettably enchanting and comically joyful as April's pet. Romantic and irreverent, Darwin is a scene-stealer that keeps one grinning continuously due to his amusingly tongue-in-cheek one-liners.
An array of characters like this pair with astoundingly intelligent writing makes for a framework that is taken to its greatest possible potential for wonder via the gorgeously crafted animation in display. Add a large portion of explosively candid humor to the mix, and the formula for a perfect work of wondrous art is created. From Einstein playing in a band, to a visual gag on what the Statue of Liberty would like if France wouldn’t have been friendly towards Americans, to its mesmerizing reimagining of Paris with two Eiffel Towers and uniquely appropriate public transport and infrastructure, “April” grabs hold of cell animation and dips it in a potion distilled from the works of iconic Japanese masters and considerable influence from other successful graphic novel adaptations into the medium.
Its genre-bending aspects are so fabulously calibrated, that is hard to pinpoint an exact designation for the spell the film casts other than how deliciously twisty it is. Near its final act, “April” introduces a group of villains directly extracted from a deranged fable, in the most authentically surprising manner. This coincides with the sensibilities of a film that isn’t afraid to fully experiment with the freedoms that fiction in this vein permits. Desmaeres and Ekinci’s leading lady, voiced with grace and chutzpah by Academy Award-winner Marion Cotillard, comes from a long line of male scientists, but though the fact that she is the first female born in the family to also pursue the field, her gender is never observed as an impediment or particularly special trait. It’s never about whether she can do it not based on her being a woman, but about how her unquestionable abilities can be used for good. When so much of current media glorifies instant fame or content about exploiting physical beauty for financial gain, to see an intrepid role model focused on the significance of using one’s hard work for the greater good utterly reinvigorating.
Power corrupts, especially in the hands of temperamental beings, and that’s a crucial point that “April” tackles from a thoroughly enjoyable perspective. Since selfish pursuits are common occurrences in our past and present, it’s clear humanity can’t be trusted with its own treasures. Therefore, erudite thinkers are recruited as pawns in a new intergalactic plan to save Earth’s beautiful vegetation. The uncompromising ambition of the film’s scope is as captivating as the detailed cinematic frames that convey it, and in that sense, the exuberant journey it follows from its opening sequence to the riveting conclusion feels like a natural progression. Not a single contrived or even lightly forced plot point in sight.
As the pages reminiscent of comic books from a much more artistically driven bygone era grace the screen in their moving iteration, “April and the Extraordinary World” transcends the constraints of steampunk literature and embraces traditional animation is if the two had been in perfect symmetry from the beginning. What “April” argues underneath the aesthetically extraordinary frames and its thrilling action is that science is magic at human reach, which takes our perseverance and purpose as a metaphorical wand. Choosing to use each newly found incantation for benevolent causes and not malevolent desires is the real battle.
"April and the Extraordinary World" is now playing in New York and Los Angeles. The film is being released by Gkids, the 8-time Academy nominated independent animation distributor.
Setting these concepts and preoccupations in an alternative steampunk reality based on the graphic novel by Jacques Tardi, Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci’s “April and the Extraordinary World” navigates the curious possibility of a world where innovation stalled and in which humans must deal with the ramifications of this occurrence and adapt their lifestyles to the available practices. What emerges from this concoction of brilliant notions inspired by the source material and the filmmakers’ input is a highly ingenious and sumptuously designed tale anchored to an assertive, intellectual, and unconventional heroine. This delightfully sophisticated charmer firmly establishes itself as a visual marvel and one of the most originally confected animated films ever made.
Distancing its premise from similarly themed science fiction escapades, which work under the pretense that audiences must accept the universe at hand without much insight into its inner workings and origins, the film commences with a brief introduction that singles out a historical event responsible for the retrograde state of development. In this whimsical revision set in the mid-1900s Napoleon's lineage still reigns, as a major conflict with France's major enemy to the east was avoided. The consequential outcome for this deviation is a world in which coal, rather than oil, becomes the preferred fuel leading to massive deforestation and smog substitutes air. Scientists are perceived as a commodity whose brilliance must benefit the empire in its pursuit of new lands with forests to harvest. Fighting a war with the Us over Canada’s natural resources to fulfill its power needs is France’s priority while another threat develops under its surface.
Academically gifted an empowered by an audacious spirit, April (Marion Cotillard) is a young woman whose perpetual mission is to find her parents, Paul (Olivier Gourmet) and Annette (Macha Grenon), and grandfather Pops (Jean Rochefort), all of whom are scientist that disappeared 10 years prior under mysterious circumstances after being persecuted by the authorities just as they were about to test a serum that would make any living creature immortal. Now, April, whose chemistry knowledge is unparalleled, is attempting to recreate said formula and reunite with her singular pack.
Given that her venture and those of her immediate family have such immeasurable stakes, there are a few less than friendly figures seeking to capture her. Pizoni (Bouli Lanners), a robust, arrogant, and insanely persistent officer, wishes to use her as a vehicle for discovering where Pops is. Enlisting Julius (Marc-André Grondin), a scrawny young man willing to do the dirty work to avoid punishment for his deeds, to follow her, Pizoni hopes to regain the status he lost because of April’s folks. Thankfully, the brave girl has her talking cat Darwin (Philippe Katerine) as her most valuable comrade. Talking animals have never been so unforgettably enchanting and comically joyful as April's pet. Romantic and irreverent, Darwin is a scene-stealer that keeps one grinning continuously due to his amusingly tongue-in-cheek one-liners.
An array of characters like this pair with astoundingly intelligent writing makes for a framework that is taken to its greatest possible potential for wonder via the gorgeously crafted animation in display. Add a large portion of explosively candid humor to the mix, and the formula for a perfect work of wondrous art is created. From Einstein playing in a band, to a visual gag on what the Statue of Liberty would like if France wouldn’t have been friendly towards Americans, to its mesmerizing reimagining of Paris with two Eiffel Towers and uniquely appropriate public transport and infrastructure, “April” grabs hold of cell animation and dips it in a potion distilled from the works of iconic Japanese masters and considerable influence from other successful graphic novel adaptations into the medium.
Its genre-bending aspects are so fabulously calibrated, that is hard to pinpoint an exact designation for the spell the film casts other than how deliciously twisty it is. Near its final act, “April” introduces a group of villains directly extracted from a deranged fable, in the most authentically surprising manner. This coincides with the sensibilities of a film that isn’t afraid to fully experiment with the freedoms that fiction in this vein permits. Desmaeres and Ekinci’s leading lady, voiced with grace and chutzpah by Academy Award-winner Marion Cotillard, comes from a long line of male scientists, but though the fact that she is the first female born in the family to also pursue the field, her gender is never observed as an impediment or particularly special trait. It’s never about whether she can do it not based on her being a woman, but about how her unquestionable abilities can be used for good. When so much of current media glorifies instant fame or content about exploiting physical beauty for financial gain, to see an intrepid role model focused on the significance of using one’s hard work for the greater good utterly reinvigorating.
Power corrupts, especially in the hands of temperamental beings, and that’s a crucial point that “April” tackles from a thoroughly enjoyable perspective. Since selfish pursuits are common occurrences in our past and present, it’s clear humanity can’t be trusted with its own treasures. Therefore, erudite thinkers are recruited as pawns in a new intergalactic plan to save Earth’s beautiful vegetation. The uncompromising ambition of the film’s scope is as captivating as the detailed cinematic frames that convey it, and in that sense, the exuberant journey it follows from its opening sequence to the riveting conclusion feels like a natural progression. Not a single contrived or even lightly forced plot point in sight.
As the pages reminiscent of comic books from a much more artistically driven bygone era grace the screen in their moving iteration, “April and the Extraordinary World” transcends the constraints of steampunk literature and embraces traditional animation is if the two had been in perfect symmetry from the beginning. What “April” argues underneath the aesthetically extraordinary frames and its thrilling action is that science is magic at human reach, which takes our perseverance and purpose as a metaphorical wand. Choosing to use each newly found incantation for benevolent causes and not malevolent desires is the real battle.
"April and the Extraordinary World" is now playing in New York and Los Angeles. The film is being released by Gkids, the 8-time Academy nominated independent animation distributor.
- 3/25/2016
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
The opportunity for CGI and animation to completely immerse the viewer in an imagined world gets fully realized in a way few films achieve with Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci's wondrous “April and the Extraordinary World.” Set in a steampunk version of Paris, this French import marries both style and substance in its efforts to present a wholly original vision adapted from the work of graphic novelist Jacques Tardi, creator of "Adèle Blanc-Sec" (which itself was turned into a 2010 film directed by Luc Besson). “April and the Extraordinary World” is kind enough to give details on its imagined history, as much of its audience may not be familiar with the Franco-Prussian War and what its absence might mean to the larger timeline presented. In the 1870s, Napoleon III has tasked Gustave (voiced by Jean Rochefort) with creating an army of super soldiers. The experiment goes wrong, killing the leader...
- 3/25/2016
- by Kimber Myers
- The Playlist
Most writing on Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci‘s April and the Extraordinary World speaks as though they’ve adapted one of revered Frenchman Jacques Tardi‘s graphic novels. This isn’t quite the case. What they’ve actually done is bring his unique “universe” to life with help from previous collaborator Benjamin Legrand (writer of Tardi’s Tueur de cafards) instead. Legrand and Ekinci crafted this alternate steampunk version of Paris as something inspired by the artist’s work rather than born from it. Tardi in turn helped by drawing original work later brought to life by Desmares’ animation team. The whole is therefore a culmination of its six-year production schedule populated by multiple creative minds working in tandem throughout. It may look familiar, but it’s very much brand new.
Their world is built on steam and coal because the best scientific minds have disappeared. Electricity wasn’t...
Their world is built on steam and coal because the best scientific minds have disappeared. Electricity wasn’t...
- 3/24/2016
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Plus: CinemaCon names Male Star Of Tomorrow; Soda Pictures dates High-Rise; and more…
Gkids has revealed its English voice cast for April And The Extraordinary World, the animation it acquired last year before its world premiere at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci’s steampunk adventure adapted from Jacques Tardi’s graphic novel about a girl’s journey through a world where scientists have been imprisoned featured a French voice cast led by Marion Cotillard.
The English voice cast will feature Paul Giamatti, Tony Hale, Susan Sarandon and J.K. Simmons. Both English and French versions will play in the Us when the film opens in New York on March 25 at IFC Center, and in Los Angeles at the Nuart Theater on April 1. National expansion follows on April 8.
Stephen Amell will receive the CinemaCon Male Star Of Tomorrow Award on April 14 in Las Vegas. Amell stars in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ [link...
Gkids has revealed its English voice cast for April And The Extraordinary World, the animation it acquired last year before its world premiere at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci’s steampunk adventure adapted from Jacques Tardi’s graphic novel about a girl’s journey through a world where scientists have been imprisoned featured a French voice cast led by Marion Cotillard.
The English voice cast will feature Paul Giamatti, Tony Hale, Susan Sarandon and J.K. Simmons. Both English and French versions will play in the Us when the film opens in New York on March 25 at IFC Center, and in Los Angeles at the Nuart Theater on April 1. National expansion follows on April 8.
Stephen Amell will receive the CinemaCon Male Star Of Tomorrow Award on April 14 in Las Vegas. Amell stars in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ [link...
- 3/17/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Coming off its two Academy Award nominations for “Boy and the World” and “When Marnie Was There,” independent animation distributor Gkids already has a new enchanting animated feature set to open theatrically next month.
“April and the Extraordinary World” by directors Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci is a steampunk adventure set in 1940s France as its greatest scientific minds begin to disappear. It will take the audacity and courage of a young girl and her beloved cat to unveil the secrets behind this conspiracy.
"April" won the Crystal Award at last years Annecy Film Festival and stars Academy Award-winning actress Marion Cotillard, who voices the tile character in both the French and English-dub versions of the film.
Watch the film's official U.S. trailer above.
"April and the Extraordinary World" will open in NYC on March 25th and in Los Angeles on April 1st.
The official synopsis reads as follows:
Paris, 1941. A family of scientists is on the brink of discovering a powerful longevity serum when all of a sudden a mysterious force abducts them, leaving their young daughter April behind. Ten years later, April (voiced by Academy Award-winner Marion Cotillard) lives alone with her dear cat, Darwin, and carries on her family’s research in secret. But she soon finds herself at the center of a shadowy and far-reaching conspiracy, and on the run from government agents, bicycle-powered dirigibles and cyborg rat spies. Undaunted, she continues her quest to find her parents and discover the truth behind their disappearance.
Take a look a the film's delightful poster below:...
“April and the Extraordinary World” by directors Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci is a steampunk adventure set in 1940s France as its greatest scientific minds begin to disappear. It will take the audacity and courage of a young girl and her beloved cat to unveil the secrets behind this conspiracy.
"April" won the Crystal Award at last years Annecy Film Festival and stars Academy Award-winning actress Marion Cotillard, who voices the tile character in both the French and English-dub versions of the film.
Watch the film's official U.S. trailer above.
"April and the Extraordinary World" will open in NYC on March 25th and in Los Angeles on April 1st.
The official synopsis reads as follows:
Paris, 1941. A family of scientists is on the brink of discovering a powerful longevity serum when all of a sudden a mysterious force abducts them, leaving their young daughter April behind. Ten years later, April (voiced by Academy Award-winner Marion Cotillard) lives alone with her dear cat, Darwin, and carries on her family’s research in secret. But she soon finds herself at the center of a shadowy and far-reaching conspiracy, and on the run from government agents, bicycle-powered dirigibles and cyborg rat spies. Undaunted, she continues her quest to find her parents and discover the truth behind their disappearance.
Take a look a the film's delightful poster below:...
- 3/10/2016
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
It is time for me to make my peace with the fact that I will not be at Fantastic Fest this year. Last year's fest was one of my favorites ever, fitting for a tenth anniversary, and I would love to go this year. It's just not in the cards, though. It guts me, too. The event continues to grow and change and evolve, and it features one of the greatest programming teams in the business right now. There are films playing at the festival that I'll see in Toronto, and I'm sure I'll catch up with others, but that's not the point. Fantastic Fest is an experience, and an amazing one. If you want to go, you still can. "Daytime Only Badges, Fan Badges, and 2Nd Half Badges for Fantastic Fest 2015 are available for purchase here," today's press release urged. If you can go for the second half, you'll...
- 8/27/2015
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
One of the greatest genre film festivals in the world (some say the best) has just announced its second wave of titles, including a few titles so anticipated you’ll wish you’re in Austin next month. Below are 35 more films to add to the 23 already announced in the first wave. They include Ridley Scott’s The Martian, Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster, Ben Wheatley’s adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s High-Rise and Jeremy Saulnier’s follow up to Blue Ruin, The Green Room. In addition to the films, Fantastic Fest is also delivering something special this year with a performance from Itchy-o – “a blazing, 32-member aural assault from the darkest depths of Colorado.” Fantastic Fest will also host the World Premiere of Lazer Team, the first feature film from web series gods Rooster Teeth. “This is a big year for genre cinema. We’re exceptionally proud to honor incredible filmmakers...
- 8/27/2015
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
It’s hard to believe that we are a month away from what is possibly the best genre film festival in North America! After announcing a Kurt Russell included first wave, we get a wave that probably includes all the films I have the most interest in. The French remake of what I consider is one of Mario Bava’s best films, Rabid Dogs is included. Along with Jeremy Saulnier’s follow up from Blue Ruin, Green Room where Patrick Stewart plays a Neo-Nazi club owner, Ridley Scott’s The Martian, Ben Wheatley’s adaptation of High-Rise and the horror film that has some chilling buzz, The Witch, are all included. Check out the full listing below and wait with anticipation for our coverage of the festival!
Fantastic Fest is excited to announce the second wave of programming featuring the Us Premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster as the opening night film.
Fantastic Fest is excited to announce the second wave of programming featuring the Us Premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster as the opening night film.
- 8/26/2015
- by Andy Triefenbach
- Destroy the Brain
Austin, TX – Wednesday, August 26, 2015 — Fantastic Fest is excited to announce the second wave of programming featuring the Us Premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster as the opening night film. Lanthimos will be in attendance to share his wonderfully surreal examination of human connections. Joining The Lobster is a dazzling array of the year’s most anticipated genre films from heavyweight directors including Ridley Scott’s sci-fi epic The Martian, Ben Wheatley’s High-rise and Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room. Fantastic Fest will also host the World Premiere of Lazer Team, the first feature film from web series gods Rooster Teeth. Lazer Team director Matt Hullum and cast members Burnie Burns, Alan Ritchson, Colton Dunn, Michael Jones, and Gavin Free will be in attendance to celebrate the highly anticipated sci-fi comedy and join Fantastic Fest’s official opening night party, presented by Rooster Teeth. “This is a big year for genre cinema.
- 8/26/2015
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
Cannibalistic skyscraper tribes, a punk band forced to fight for survival, and 17th century-set supernatural happenings will grace the big screen this fall at Fantastic Fest 2015, as High-Rise, Green Room (co-starring Patrick Stewart), and The Witch are among the films announced in the festival's second wave of programming.
Taking place September 24th–October 1st at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar theater in Austin, TX, Fantastic Fest 2015 celebrates an abundance of titles spanning multiple genres (as well as those that don't fit into one specific genre). Stay tuned to Daily Dead for the upcoming final wave of Fantastic Fest 2015 programming, and to read about the first wave of the festival's programming, visit:
http://dailydead.com/fantastic-fest-2015-first-wave-includes-bone-tomahawk-the-invitation/
Press Release: Austin, TX - Wednesday, August 26, 2015 - Fantastic Fest is excited to announce the second wave of programming featuring the Us Premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos' The Lobster as the opening night film.
Taking place September 24th–October 1st at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar theater in Austin, TX, Fantastic Fest 2015 celebrates an abundance of titles spanning multiple genres (as well as those that don't fit into one specific genre). Stay tuned to Daily Dead for the upcoming final wave of Fantastic Fest 2015 programming, and to read about the first wave of the festival's programming, visit:
http://dailydead.com/fantastic-fest-2015-first-wave-includes-bone-tomahawk-the-invitation/
Press Release: Austin, TX - Wednesday, August 26, 2015 - Fantastic Fest is excited to announce the second wave of programming featuring the Us Premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos' The Lobster as the opening night film.
- 8/26/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Does Gkids have another Oscar contender on its hands? The American distributor behind 2015 animated Oscar nominees "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya" and "Song of the Sea," has picked up Us rights to "April and the Extraordinary World." Directed by Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci (a storyboard artist on the original "The Adventures of Tintin"), "April" will screen in competition this month at the Annecy International Film Festival. Gkids plans an early 2016 release, Variety reports, in both French and English (as it did for Studio Ghibli-made "Kaguya"). This steampunk adventure follows a young girl on her journey to fulfill her destiny and comes from graphic novelist Jacques Tardi's tale of a dystopian world. Read More: Gkids on Taking Animated 'Song of the Sea' and 'Princess Kaguya' to Oscar Nom Success "April" begins in Paris 1941, where Napoleon V rules, there are two Eiffel towers and where...
- 6/16/2015
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
April and the Extraordinary World will screen in competition at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival that started today and features the voice of Marion Cotillard in the lead.
Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci directed the steampunk adventure adapted from Jacques Tardi’s graphic novel about a girl’s journey through a world where scientists have been imprisoned.
Eric Beckman negotiated the deal for Gkids with Aska Yamaguchi for Studiocanal and the distributor plans an early 2016 release in French and English-language versions.
April And The Extraordinary World is a France-Canada-Belgium co-production between Je Suis Bien Content, Studiocanal, Kaibou Production Umt, Need Productions, Arte France Cinéma, Jouror Distribution, Rtbf, Proximus and Tchack.
Marc Jousset and Ekinci served as executive producers.
Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci directed the steampunk adventure adapted from Jacques Tardi’s graphic novel about a girl’s journey through a world where scientists have been imprisoned.
Eric Beckman negotiated the deal for Gkids with Aska Yamaguchi for Studiocanal and the distributor plans an early 2016 release in French and English-language versions.
April And The Extraordinary World is a France-Canada-Belgium co-production between Je Suis Bien Content, Studiocanal, Kaibou Production Umt, Need Productions, Arte France Cinéma, Jouror Distribution, Rtbf, Proximus and Tchack.
Marc Jousset and Ekinci served as executive producers.
- 6/15/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Competition titles revealed; exclusive first footage to screen from Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur and Disney’s Zootopia.
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival (June 15-20) is to spotlight the contribution of women to animation and their growing presence in the medium.
This year’s Honorary Cristal will be awarded to French director Florence Miailhe, whose unusual technique has been called “film painting”. She was first at Annecy in 2000 with Au premier dimanche d’aout, which won the Cear for Best Short Film, and won a special mention at Cannes in 2006 for her short Conte de quartier.
Sticking with the female focus, there will be films about maternity and sexuality, the female imagination and a strand titled The Future Is Woman.
Canadian filmmaker Janet Perlman, who secured an Oscar nomination with The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin (1981), will also be the subject of a special focus.
This year’s festival, overseen by artistic...
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival (June 15-20) is to spotlight the contribution of women to animation and their growing presence in the medium.
This year’s Honorary Cristal will be awarded to French director Florence Miailhe, whose unusual technique has been called “film painting”. She was first at Annecy in 2000 with Au premier dimanche d’aout, which won the Cear for Best Short Film, and won a special mention at Cannes in 2006 for her short Conte de quartier.
Sticking with the female focus, there will be films about maternity and sexuality, the female imagination and a strand titled The Future Is Woman.
Canadian filmmaker Janet Perlman, who secured an Oscar nomination with The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin (1981), will also be the subject of a special focus.
This year’s festival, overseen by artistic...
- 4/29/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
It may be aimed towards children and have a horrendous voice over, but this little diddy looks like it might just be good. It's set in an alternate France with suspended cable cars, bowler hats, and lots of moustaches. As far as I can find the only slated release is for December 2015 in France.. for the rest of the world, it just got put on the sales market. The original title is Un Monde Truque.
Christian Desmares is one of the co-directors and was also the animation coordinator on Persepolis. Benjamin Legrand, who adapted Snowpiercer for the screen, is one of the co-writers. And last but not least, Oscar winner Marion Cotillard does one of the lead voices.
The budget was $12M which is mighty fine for a European flick.
In 1941, in an alternate history France, the Eiffel Tower [Continued ...]...
Christian Desmares is one of the co-directors and was also the animation coordinator on Persepolis. Benjamin Legrand, who adapted Snowpiercer for the screen, is one of the co-writers. And last but not least, Oscar winner Marion Cotillard does one of the lead voices.
The budget was $12M which is mighty fine for a European flick.
In 1941, in an alternate history France, the Eiffel Tower [Continued ...]...
- 1/21/2015
- QuietEarth.us
A little bit of coin news from Europe’s Eurimages Fund (support of 13 projects) in the same token drops a couple of hints on where we might be at with some of our favorite European auteurs – topping the list and making our mouths water for Cannes 2014 is a listing for Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s next feature film entitled Winter Sleep – a Turkish-German-France co-production. Further digging tells us that Ceylan actually began filming in late January in the unique backdrop of Cappadocia, Turkey with actors Haluk Bilginer (The Reluctant Fundamentalist), Demet Akbag, Melisa Sözen on board. Swedish auteur Ruben Ostlund (whose Play is mysteriously still without a U.S Distributor) is inches away from filming Tourist – which will be ready for a Croisette 2014 showing as well. Jasmila Zbanic who won big in Berlin back in 2006 with Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams, is funding her latest Love Island and feel...
- 3/20/2013
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Studiocanal is set to co-produce the steam-punk adventure-thriller "Un Monde trugue" inspired by graphic novelist Jacques Tardi, reports Variety. Franck Ekinci and Christian Desmares are set to direct the film from the original idea by Tardi and co-scribe Benjamin Legrand. Tardi is also acting as the pics key art director and graphic artist. Ekinci's Je Suis Bien Content will co-produce alongside Studiocanal, who in turn will distribute the film in the U.K., Germany and of course France. "Un Monde trugue" takes place in an alternative 19th-century where everything's still being powered by coal and steam. Here, a young woman called Avril tries to find her parents who have vanished mysteriously.
- 6/8/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Studiocanal is set to co-produce the steam-punk adventure-thriller "Un Monde trugue" inspired by graphic novelist Jacques Tardi, reports Variety. Franck Ekinci and Christian Desmares are set to direct the film from the original idea by Tardi and co-scribe Benjamin Legrand. Tardi is also acting as the pics key art director and graphic artist. Ekinci's Je Suis Bien Content will co-produce alongside Studiocanal, who in turn will distribute the film in the U.K., Germany and of course France. "Un Monde trugue" takes place in an alternative 19th-century where everything's still being powered by coal and steam. Here, a young woman called Avril tries to find her parents who have vanished mysteriously.
- 6/8/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
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