Foreign Animation Thread (Past / Present / Future)

[Lnds500]

I am creating this thread to have a place when we can post opinions or news about animated films produced outside of the US. I know Japanese and UK films have a strong following in here but output from other countries is either mentioned in passing or not mentioned at all.

[Lnds500]

I'll make a start with Hieronymus Bosch

The Dutch feature film in development Hieronymus, based on the life and art of the celebrated painter Hieronymus Bosch, moves on after its pitching at Cartoon Movie, Lyon (6-8 March 2013).


Hieronymus is an 85-minute animated feature project in development, directed and written by Erik van Schaaik (and produced by The Drawing Room, Netherlands). On the very first morning of this year's Cartoon Movie(March 7) the Dutch feature-length animated film Hieronymus was presented to 700+ producers, distributors, broadcasters and sales agents.

Eccentric teenager Jerome Bosch, who lives in the city of Den Bosch, is an aspiring artist in a corrupt medieval world held in a stifling grip by a witch hunting priest. When the demonic monsters from Jerome's nightmares come alive, he has to face all his fears to free the city.

This interesting Dutch project is the second gestating feature (after the Loving Vincent project by Breakthru Films) to focus on a visual artist's life and nightmares, and promises some scary moments.

Development on Hieronymus started back in 2010 when acclaimed animator, writer and director Erik van Schaaik (Vent, Phantom of the Opera shorts) approached producer Jiek Weishut from The Drawing Room, Baarn.

Wilbert Plijnaar, known for his work on Ice Age, Shrek and Despicable Me, amongst others, is supervising on the storyboard and animatic.

Hieronymus was pitched (project in concept) at the Cartoon Movie European forum for feature films (6-8 March, Lyon, France).

The first look (concept visuals & poster) are promising:

Hieronymus is supported by the Dutch Film Fund, Dutch public broadcaster AVRO and the Jheronimus Bosch 500 Foundation.

It has its own, bare-bones website, http://hieronymus-movie.com/ and a Facebook page.

via Zippy Frames

[celticmoon]

^ Hadn't heard of that one... Looks like it could be interesting.

Anyway, I'm hoping some of the foreign animated films distributed by GKIDS last year will get BD releases, despite none of them being nominated for Best Animated Feature. I would import, but they're usually region locked with no English subtitles/voice tracks.

Zarafa, The Rabbi's Cat, and Le Tableu all look pretty interesting. I was pleasantly surprised that they released Michel Ocelot's Tales of the Night on BD earlier this year, so hopefully those will be coming soon as well.

Also, last year's Ernest and Celestine seems to be a pretty big hit that's being recieved quite well, so I wouldn't be surprised if it gets a Best Feature Nomination for this year and a subsequent US BD release. Hopefully it gets a decently sized theatrical release.

In recent year's, some theaters around me have gotten Chico & Rita and The Illusionist, but I can't recall any other foreign animated films besides the Ghibli films distributed by Disney.

[Lnds500]

Originally Posted by celticmoon

^ Hadn't heard of that one... Looks like it could be interesting.

Anyway, I'm hoping some of the foreign animated films distributed by GKIDS last year will get BD releases, despite none of them being nominated for Best Animated Feature. I would import, but they're usually region locked with no English subtitles/voice tracks.

Zarafa, The Rabbi's Cat, and Le Tableu all look pretty interesting. I was pleasantly surprised that they released Michel Ocelot's Tales of the Night on BD earlier this year, so hopefully those will be coming soon as well.

Also, last year's Ernest and Celestine seems to be a pretty big hit that's being recieved quite well, so I wouldn't be surprised if it gets a Best Feature Nomination for this year and a subsequent US BD release. Hopefully it gets a decently sized theatrical release.

In recent year's, some theaters around me have gotten Chico & Rita and The Illusionist, but I can't recall any other foreign animated films besides the Ghibli films distributed by Disney.

I am planning on expanding the number of foreign animated films I watch. I grew up watching mostly Disney films but I had some VHS movies made by Toei in partnership with a Soviet animation studio and they were fantastic. I've managed to find them online and I keep watching them every once in a while. Makes you wonder how they could have ended up if history had been kinder to them. Through them I learned to appreciate foreign studios, even when the animation is "weird" or not on par with American productions.

I have Ernest and Celestine and all the rest you mentioned on my watchlist as well . Another one I'm interested in is the Russian The Snow Queen. I plan on watching that one before Disney's Frozen.

[Monterey Jack]

Austrailia's Mary & Max (2009) is a truly wonderful, moving film about long-distance friendship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ3vlMO-Z-I

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Austrailia's Mary & Max (2009) is a truly wonderful, moving film about long-distance friendship.

[Show spoiler]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ3vlMO-Z-I

That looks cool. Thanks for sharing. Netflix has it on Blu-ray too. Added.

[celticmoon]

Originally Posted by Lnds500

I am planning on expanding the number of foreign animated films I watch. I grew up watching mostly Disney films but I had some VHS movies made by Toei in partnership with a Soviet animation studio and they were fantastic. I've managed to find them online and I keep watching them every once in a while. Makes you wonder how they could have ended up if history had been kinder to them. Through them I learned to appreciate foreign studios, even when the animation is "weird" or not on par with American productions.

I have Ernest and Celestine and all the rest you mentioned on my watchlist as well . Another one I'm interested in is the Russian The Snow Queen. I plan on watching that one before Disney's Frozen.

Yeah, I've been trying to catch as many foreign animated films as I can for the last few years, but they're pretty hard to come across, so its great that GKIDS seems to be picking up more and more releases in the last couple of years. Hopefully they backtrack a bit and help bring some older ones to BD.

Also, many films that got DVD releases in the US and have received BD releases in other territories seem to be failing to get BD treatment, and I'm starting to wonder if they're ever going to happen... Triplets of Belleville, Kirikou and the Sorceress, and such are fairly big films that warrant BD releases.

As for foreign animation being "weird" at times, I can appreciate different styles, so I like it. In terms of them not being on par with American productions, I don't really see it at all with hand-drawn animated films, but it definitely is the case for CG animated films, which makes me less inclined to be interested in them. For example, that Snow Queen movie that you posted about.... I have only seen some promotional material and screens, but somehow it doesn't interest me much. I should probably at least check out a trailer though. On the other hand, the 2011 French CGI film, A Monster in Paris looks quite good. It's coming to BD next month, so I'll probably check it out once it hits $15 or so.

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Austrailia's Mary & Max (2009) is a truly wonderful, moving film about long-distance friendship.

I've been meaning to see this... It's been on my wishlist for a while. I have only heard good things about it. Gotta check it out soon!

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by celticmoon

Yeah, I've been trying to catch as many foreign animated films as I can for the last few years, but they're pretty hard to come across, so its great that GKIDS seems to be picking up more and more releases in the last couple of years. Hopefully they backtrack a bit and help bring some older ones to BD.

Also, many films that got DVD releases in the US and have received BD releases in other territories seem to be failing to get BD treatment, and I'm starting to wonder if they're ever going to happen... Triplets of Belleville, Kirikou and the Sorceress, and such are fairly big films that warrant BD releases.

As for foreign animation being "weird" at times, I can appreciate different styles, so I like it. In terms of them not being on par with American productions, I don't really see it at all with hand-drawn animated films, but it definitely is the case for CG animated films, which makes me less inclined to be interested in them. For example, that Snow Queen movie that you posted about.... I have only seen some promotional material and screens, but somehow it doesn't interest me much. I should probably at least check out a trailer though. On the other hand, the 2011 French CGI film, A Monster in Paris looks quite good. It's coming to BD next month, so I'll probably check it out once it hits $15 or so.



I've been meaning to see this... It's been on my wishlist for a while. I have only heard good things about it. Gotta check it out soon!

I was really really surprised by A Monster in Paris - highly entertaining.

Tales of the Night was shown theatrically in 3D, - why? the whole point and visual structure is that's supposed to look flat and two dimensional.

[Drake2222]

Just watched Krysar (the Korean region free NTSC dvd release from Amazon UK), excellent film. Would be nice if someone like Second Run could restore the film and put it on blu ray though

[Drake2222]

Recently saw Mission to the Moon (ie: Månelyst i Flåklypa), also known as Louis and Luca Mission to the Moon. Excellent stop motion film. While it is a new film, it is based on the same characters known from Pinchcliffe’s Grand Prix. At any rate, I’d recommend the film to those who like Wallace and Gromit’s space adventure A Grand Day Out

[Misioon_Odisea]

For the fans and lovers of Ernest & Célestine out there, I'm bumping this thread to share with you that there is a new film on the way, subtitled "Voyage en Charabie" ("A Trip to Gibberitia" in English), and is coming later this year! To be first premiered in France in December, this time the feature film will be directed by Julien Chheng and Jean-Christophe Roger, the team behind the "Ernest & Célestine, The Collection" TV Series, while the previous film was directed by Benjamin Renner, Vincent Patar and Stéphane Aubier. New stills were released today by StudioCanal (according to Animated Antic) and shared via Catsuka. Have a look!

https://twitter.com/catsuka/status/1523359104474894336

Originally Posted by Catsuka

Some stills of "Ernest & Celestine, A Trip to Gibberitia" new animated movie directed by Jean-Christophe Roger & Julien Chheng. Coming in December 2022 in french theaters.

For more information, check it out on Catsuka's webpage at https://www.catsuka.com/breves/2022-...ge-en-charabie (in French). Also, there's this piece published at The Wrap in February (https://www.thewrap.com/ernest-celes...el-first-look/) which describes us the synopsis, and what to expect in general from the film. Catsuka always has the best insight on the development of the independent and foreign/international animation scene out of any of the major animation news outlets I read, followed by Zippy Frames (https://www.zippyframes.com/). Let's all keep an eye out for this new entry in the "Ernest and Célestine" franchise, and let's hope it is just as good or even better than the first!

[Dragon78]

Anyone heard of "Mavka The Forest Song"?

[Misioon_Odisea]

Originally Posted by Dragon78

Anyone heard of "Mavka The Forest Song"?

Yep, I have! The upcoming Ukrainian CGI animated film, It says on Google it's coming this December as well, premiering first in Ukraine. Hopefully, the announcement for a U.S. release date isn't be too far off from now either.

[Dragon78]

So has anyone else seen any of the following movies?

A Monster in Paris
Ballerina/Leap
The Illusionist(2010)

[Misioon_Odisea]

Originally Posted by Dragon78

So has anyone else seen any of the following movies?

A Monster in Paris
Ballerina/Leap
The Illusionist(2010)

I haven't watched any of the ones you mentioned yet, I definitely should out and seek to watch them soon. However, speaking of The Illusionist...

Sony Pictures Classics acquires "The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol," Sylvain Chomet's next feature film

The distributor specialized in artistic and independent films has bought distribution rights for several regions, including the U.S., for the upcoming animated feature film by Sylvain Chomet, director of the Academy Award nom¡nated "The Triplets of Belleville" and "The Illusionist," both of which Sony Pictures Classics also distributed before. Expected release date 2024.

https://www.animationmagazine.net/fe...ures-classics/

Originally Posted by Animation Magazine

Sylvain Chomet’s ‘The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol’ Gets Rolling with Sony Pictures Classics

Reported from the Cannes Film Festival & Market, Sony Pictures Classics has picked up multiple territory rights to The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol, the latest animated feature from BAFTA-winning and four-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sylvain Chomet. SPC previously handled distribution for his acclaimed films The Triplets of Belleville and The Illusionist.

Hand-drawn animation is ALIVE and KICKING, Baby!!!

[Misioon_Odisea]

Yesterday, Animation Magazine published an exclusive interview featuring famed Spanish "Birdboy: The Forgotten Children" director Alberto Vázquez, speaking about his new feature film "Unicorn Wars," which is set to premiere at this year's Annecy Festival (June 13-18) before heading to Spanish cinemas later this year. A potential candidate for the R rating by the MPA, if it gets rated for its release in the U.S.!

Originally Posted by Ramin Zahed

Exclusive: ‘Unicorn Wars’ Director Alberto Vázquez Brings a Teddy Bear Battlefield to Life



Fans of Spanish graphic novelist and animation director Alberto Vázquez (Birdboy, Homeless Home, Decorado) have been counting the days until the acclaimed auteur’s new movie Unicorn Wars arrives on the big screen. The film, which was part of Annecy’s Work in Progress last year, will premiere at this year’s edition of the animation festival in France. Produced by UniKo, Abano Pro*ducións and Autour de Minuit, the feature is set again a terrible war between religious fanatic teddy bears and environmentalist unicorns.

Warning: Trailers contain mature content that may upset some audiences.

Concept Trailer:

Trailer #2 de Unicorn Wars (HD) - YouTube

Latest Trailer (with subtitles in English):

UNICORN WARS Trailer - YouTube

Read the full interview here

[Misioon_Odisea]

Ernest & Célestine 2's poster has been revealed earlier today, first shared via Catsuka!

https://twitter.com/catsuka/status/1534226780642586630

Originally Posted by Catsuka

First poster of "Ernest & Celestine, A Trip to Gibberitia" new animated movie directed by Jean-Christophe Roger & Julien Chheng. Coming in December 2022 in french theaters. A preview will be screened next week at #AnnecyFestival.

PURE HYPE FOR ME - Who else is excited for the next adventures featuring our favorite Mouse and Bear team? I cannot wait to watch it as soon as it gets released!!

[Misioon_Odisea]

By Boy and the World director Alê Abreu from Brazil, yesterday a new trailer was published for his latest film Perlimps, in 2160p and with English subtitles!

PERLIMPS- International Trailer - YouTube

[Doomhunter]

Originally Posted by Misioon_Odisea

By Boy and the World director Alê Abreu from Brazil, yesterday a new trailer was published for his latest film Perlimps, in 2160p and with English subtitles!

PERLIMPS- International Trailer - YouTube

Interesting, very nice visuals

[Misioon_Odisea]

Originally Posted by Doomhunter

Interesting, very nice visuals

Yes, indeed they are, they're well done.

Among other things, Brian Orndorf published a review for Unicorn Wars on Blu-ray.com! Available here for all to read.

Also, happening right now in Bordeaux, France is Cartoon Movie! Now in its 25th annual edition, the event is the largest platform for European animators to pitch and present new feature-length animated projects, in order to gain financing and production assistance, and for us audiences to seek after, discover and follow possible future masterpieces.

Home page: https://www.cartoon-media.eu/movie/
Participating projects: https://www.cartoon-media.eu/movie/d...r-the-projects

Highlights this year, according to Animation Magazine's Ramin Zahed, include:

- Sophie Roy's Butterfly Tales
- Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach's Chicken for Linda!
- Alberto Vázquez's next feature film Decorado (based on his eponymous short)
- From Cartoon Saloon, Louise Bagnall's Julián
- Sébastien Laudenbach's Love Is a Gypsy Child: A Carmen Story
- Celine Willard's Merry Christmas, Monsieur Hulot
- Salomé Chatelian's Ninn
- Léo Marchand and Anne-Laure Daffis' The Roman of Renart
- Karla Nor Holmbäck's Rosa and the Stone Troll
- Jens Møller's Yap Yap — The Secret Forest

My personal suggestion also includes Jérémie Périn's Mars Express, which will present a sneak preview in this year's event.