Ottawa Film Fest Controversy
Animation Festival Features Persepolis, Free Jimmy, AAchi and Ssipak
This year, the Ottawa International Animation Film Festival screens 3 controversial films from France, Norway and South Korea. Festival runs from September 19th - 23rd.
Unlike some film festivals, the Ottawa International Animation Film Festival revels in the fact that it is screening controversial movies as part of the program.
The OIAF is cheerfully screening Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis, a movie that unleashed a torrent of vitriol from the theocratic Iranian government after it won the Jury Prize at Cannes earlier this year. An autobiographical look at Satrapi's life during and after the 1979 Islamist revolution, the movie was vilified for being "Islamaphobic" and part of a convoluted American/French plot to destabilize Iran.
Drug Addicted Elephant!
The other two films have lower profiles, but are no less shocking. Norway's Free Jimmy is a Tarantino-esque tale about a drug-addicted elephant who is being pursued by hunters, circus-obsessed low-lifes, animal-rights activists and the Lappish Mob. The English dub was co-written by Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz) and features the voice talents of Pegg and Kyle McLachlan (Twin Peaks). Meanwhile, South Korea's AAchi and Ssipak is an animated film that's about poop. Literally.
Here's the OIAF's take on the situation, via their official press release.
"The three animated features in competition at the OIAF are all going to stir up some controversy this year with a healthy dose of politics, drugs and just plain weirdness.
CannesJury Prize Winner, Persepolis
"The phenomenal and controversial film Persepolis, will be opening the Festival on Wednesday, September 19th. The acclaimed graphic novel series by Marjane Satrapi, is based on her experiences growing up in Iran around the time of the revolution. The film deftly merges the political and the personal while telling its tale with highly effective hand-drawn, black and white imagery. The film caused a stir at Cannes when the Iranian government claimed it was an example of Islamophobia after it won the Jury Prize. It has since been withdrawn from several Festivals due to pressure from Iran.
"Free Jimmy, which opens at the National Arts Centre on Friday, September 21 at 7pm, might disturb anyone upset by elephants on smack. This one is definitely not for kids. Called an "unholy cross between Dumbo, Fritz the Cat and Requiem for a Dream,” it’s a darkly humorous tale of a drug addicted elephant and the various characters that want to use and abuse him. Based on a Norwegian comic book, the film has been dubbed into English by stars such as Woody Harrelson and Jim Broadbent.
South Korean Potty Humour
"Finally, AAchi and Ssipak is a ridiculously over-the-top film that is mostly about s**t - yes that's right s**t. This South Korean film tells the story of a society that runs on juicy bars (which are all people need to exist. They get a bar every time they take a poo). Violence and chaos ensue when the "diaper gang" tries to gain control of the ‘Juicy bar’ supply. Don’t ask. Despite the crappy (pun intended) plot, the film has been applauded for it’s (sic) incredible visuals.
"Events at the OIAF include screenings, panels, workshops parties and the Television Animation Conference. The OIAF is a leading competitive animation film festival, featuring cutting edge programming, catering to industry executives, trend setting artists, students and animation fans. For more information about the OIAF and this year’s programming, please visit www.animationfestival.ca."
Well there you have it, kids. Muslim fanatics, drug-addicted elephants and an entire film based around poop. What more do you need out of life?
OIAF 07 will be held September 19th – 23rd, 2007 in Ottawa, Canada.
