Feature Films at Fantoche 2014
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Press release Baden, August 22 2014 Feature-length films having a ball at Fantoche From 2 to 7 September 2014, the city of Baden will be playing host for the 12th time to Fantoche – the biggest festival of animation film in Switzerland, which once again this year will be screening outstanding works from home and abroad. Feature-length films play an increasingly important role and this year there are 14 waiting to be enjoyed. Premières, independent films, technical innovations, the fantastical and the sociocritical, the elegant and the entertaining – Fantoche will be showing the latest highlights of feature-length animation film on the big screen, in 2-D or 3-D. A total of 14 feature films will be screened. For three of these films, Fantoche has invited directors, producers or studio staff to offer our audience an insight into how the films were developed, as part of a ‘Making of’ feature. There is lots to discover. Current feature films ‘The Tale of Princess Kaguya’ – Isao Takahata, JP 2014, 137', JAP/d/e, 6y The new film by Studio Ghibli’s master IsaoTakahata is an interpretation of an old Japanese legend: the tale of a girl who was born from a bamboo and raised by farmers. Although the story is full of regrets and despair, Takahata’s desire to believe in an ideal Japanese world never vanishes. ‘Loulou, l,incroyable secret’ – Grégoire Solotareff, Eric Omond, FR 2013, 80', F/e, d eingesprochen, 6y In “Loulou, l’incroyable secret”, the Césarwinning film adaption of Grégoire Solotareff’s picture book of the same name, a young wolf sets off with his friend the rabbit on an adventure to search for his mother. Beautifully drawn and thrillingly told. Making-of ‘Loulou, l’incroyable secret’, with Valérie Schermann, Producer, France. FR/EN simultaneous translation Grégoire Solotareff’s wolf Loulou has enjoyed enormous popularity for 25 years now. In this ‘Making-of’, audiences can take a look over the shoulders of the film’s creators; glimpses will be given into the background of the film-making process. ‘Beyond Beyond’ – Esben Toft Jacobsen, SE/DK 2014, 78', SW/e, 8J, german live voice over The Feather King steals Johan’s mother away one night. Set against a colourfully lit backdrop of images, the determined young hare manages to cross over into the bird of prey’s realm, where bitter insights await him. The film, which is told with sincerity, deals with the topics of death and sorrow, drawing upon Scandinavian folk tales. Making-of ‘Beyond Beyond’, with Esben Toft Jacobsen, Denmark, EN/DE simultaneous translation Having already presented his film ‘The Great Bear’ in person at Fantoche 2011, the successful Danish producer is now back in Baden and offering a peek behind the scenes of the fantastical nether world of ‘Beyond Beyond’. ‘The Boy and the World’ – Alé Abreu, BR 2013, 80', without dialogue, 8y Looking for his father, a young boy travels into a garishly lit metropolis, where he encounters strange creatures. The Brazilian artist Alé Abreu tells a wondrous, handanimated fable about globalisation and is negative impact on the cultural traditions of rural communities. ‘The BoxTrolls’– Graham Annable, Anthony Stacchi, US 2014, 90', E/d/f, 8y The Laika Studio has repeatedly wowed the viewing public with its stop motion animations. The new film from the Portland-based workshop tells the story of the lovable BoxTrolls who live underground and who only venture to the surface at night. The BoxTroll World is also home to a boy called Eggs who leaves these surroundings for the first time in search of his adoptive father, who has been abducted. Making-of ‘The BoxTrolls’, mit Mark Shapiro, USA, E/d Simultanübersetzung Mark Shapiro gives insight into the incredibly laborious production of “The BoxTrolls”, where each finger, eyebrow, etc. of every puppet actor on scene is meticulously moved millimeter by millimeter, 24 times for each second of film. Not to be missed! ‘Giovanni’s Island’ – Mizuho Nishikubo, JP 2014, 102', JAP/e, 10y The hand-drawn anime film “Giovanni’s Island” tells the story of ten-year old Junpai on an island in northern Japan which is occupied by the Russians after Japan’s capitulation in WW II. Junpai is involved in underground resistance by the local people and, at the same time, befriends the children of the occupying forces; an insurmountable dilemma. ‘The Wind Rises’ – Hayao Miyazaki, JP 2013, 126', JAP/d, D, 12y In his “farewell” film, Hayao Miyazaki decided to discard fantasy and tells a story set in Japan before WW II. Based on the true story of the Zero Fighter designer Jiro Horikoshi, the film reveals a reality of life that is built upon dreams and sacrifices. ‘From the Earth to the Moon’ – Angelos Spartalis, GR 2013, 87', GR/e, 12y Angelos Spartalis adapts Jules Verne’s novel of the same name in the first feature-length animated film to emerge from Greece. His live wire, surreal collage is a colourful muddle of cultural allusions and quotes from a wide range of eras. The film also cleverly delivers humorous yet scathing criticism of habitual warmongering. ‘Rocks In My Pockets’ – Signe Baumane, US/LV 2013, 88', E, 14y In “Rocks In My Pockets”, Lithuanian-American animator Signe Baumane undertakes a humorous reflection on the mental illnesses in her family. She has crafted a story in fantastic touching images, and acts as a narrator herself. In her film, she provides insights into her darkest emotional states. ‘L’Arte della felicità’ – Alessandro Rak, IT 2013, 84', IT/e, 14y This essayist-style first outing by comic artist Alessandro Rak tells the story of a taxi driver from Naples on a quest to seek the true meaning of life. Taking inspiration from the Far East, both in terms of philosophy and drawing techniques, the film develops ingenious reflections on life. ‘Is The Man Who Is Tall Happy? ’ – Michel Gondry, FR 2013, 89', E, 14y Director Michel Gondry animates a journey through time using the complex ideas of the brilliant thinker Noam Chomsky. In his film, he combines hand-drawn animation with historic photos and video footage of interviews with Chomsky. And when at the end of the film the questions hang in the air as visual objects, this is very much in the spirit of the renowned linguist. ‘The Pain And The Pity’ – Phil Mulloy, GB 2013, 75', E, 16y Scissor-cut outlines wobble as they speak. The British director Phil Mulloy cites the thriller genre in his animation that harks back to shadow theatre. Roger is a black mask with a computer-generated voice. Or simply a Hollywood actor with an American accent. “The Pain And The Pity” only takes shape in the eyes of the viewer. ‘The Fake’ – Yeon Sang-ho, KR 2013, 101', KR/e, 16J A corean village is to be flooded for a dam. Many of the inhabitants place their faith in a charismatic priest. Min- chul is sceptical, but being a drunkard and speaking only in four-letter words, he is barely credible. In his second feature film, Yeon Sang-ho opts for a gloomy style, depicting the social conditions of a fictional place without embellishment. 2/4 ‘Asphalt Watches’ – Shayne Ehmann, Seth Scriver, CA 2013, 94', E, 18y In “Asphalt Watches”, a hitchhiking road trip undertaken by directors Seth Scriver and Shayne Ehman becomes a fast-paced animated road movie. Their cinematic alter egos, Skeleton Hat and Bucktooth Cloud, encounter not only weird rides, but also rapping dogs, songs about pizza and pasta, and other oddities. Focus ‘What’s going on, Japan?’ Japanese animation films are firmly imprinted on the memories of untold thousands of people around the globe. One of the classics must be ‘Akira’, which audiences can enjoy again at Fantoche 2014. With the Country Focus ‘What’s going on, Japan?’, Fantoche will be plunging into the intriguing culture of Asian animation. Japan: Historical Feature Films ‘Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind’ – Hayao Miyazaki, JP 1984, 117', JAP/d/f, 12y After an apocalyptic war, a toxic jungle covers the world. The clear-sighted Nausicaä observes it by communicating with its inhabitants Ohmus while Tolmekian troops try to burn it. The question how we face contaminated nature is as relevant today as it was in 1984 when the film was first screened. ‘Mind Game’ – Masaaki Yuasa, JP 2004, 103', JAP/e/d, 16y Nishi was killed and comes back to life to save his dearest girl, Myon, when a whale swallows them. Embracing every bitter memory, Nishi runs for his life… “Mind Game” is pure entertainment, full of playful visual experiments. The pleasure of movement triggers laughter and tears. ‘Akira’ – Katsuhiro Otomo, JP 1988, 124', JAP/e, 16y After encountering strange little people, Kaneda’s and Tetsuo’s destiny changes drastically. Involved in a plot to awake a supernatural power in human, the future of the world depends on them. The film, set in 2019, one year before Tokyo Olympics, draws a vision of catastrophe and future in the collective imagination of Japanese society. 3/4 Overview and information for media representatives ANIMATION FILM-MAKERS, ARTISTS, GAMES SPECIALISTS AND OTHER INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE FESTIVAL A host of film-makers, artists, games specialists and other industry professionals will be at the Festival from 2 - 7 September 2014, and will be available for interviews. Are you interested in an interview, or a guided tour of the exhibitions? If so, please contact the Fantoche media office. The office will also be happy to provide you with a list of all the potential interview subjects present. SCREENERS AND VIEWING ROOM In the run-up to the Festival, Fantoche will be providing screeners of some of the feature films for media representatives.