The Secret of Kells Trailer, Website
Buena Vista International, Cartoon Saloon Irish animated film
Feb 3, 2009
It's easy to forget that North America is not the be-and-and-end-all of animation, but that other countries have a thriving community as well. Obviously, Japanese anime has a long and proud history and British cinema boasts animated classics like Watership Down, but who'd have thought that Ireland would be a contender?
That's a perception Cartoon Saloon and Buena Vista International (Disney's overseas distribution arm) seeks to change with their new film, The Secret of Kells. A trailer from the flick has recently found its way online, and it's a good 'un. Instead of going for a realistic look, Cartoon Saloon is using more stylized images clearly influenced by the illuminated manuscript which the movie is built around.
Obviously the animation isn't as sharp as what's coming out of the major studios, but who cares about the images when the story is good? And this flick – which purports to tell the story behind Ireland's legendary Book of Kells – has some real potential.
What's The Secret of Kells Synopsis?
Here's the story of the film, courtesy of the flick's website:
"Adventure, action and danger await 12-year-old Brendan (newcomer Evan McGuire) who must fight Vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary Book of Kells.
"Brendan is hard at work with his uncle, Abbott Cellach (Brendan Gleeson) and the other monks, helping to strengthen the abbey walls as protection against the Viking raids. But a new life of adventure begins with the arrival of Brother Aidan (Mick Lally), a celebrated master illuminator who initiates Brendan into the art of illumination, awakening his hidden, but extraordinary talents.
"In order to finish the magnificent book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a secret quest that will take him for the first time ever, beyond the abbey walls into the enchanted forest where dangerous mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling (Christen Mooney), a mysterious young white wolf/girl, who will become his closest friend and helper.
"But with the terrifying Viking Hordes closing in, will Brendan succeed in his quest to illuminate the darkness and prove that enlightenment is the best fortification against barbarians?
"All will be revealed on March 6th, when the illuminated animation of The Secret of Kells (from the award-winning Director Tomm Moore and the acclaimed producers of Skunk Fu) shines its light in Irish cinemas nationwide."
Tomm Moore and Nora Twomeybr are directing the movie, from a script by Fabrice Ziolkowski.
No Secret of Kells For North America?
Unfortunately for animation fans on this side of the Atlantic, Buena Vista International and Cartoon Saloon have no plans to bring this film to North America. However, should The Secret of Kells do well in Ireland and the Netherlands, it may get into some of the film festivals, or even a limited release in the art-house circuit.
Let's hope that The Secret of Kells does well in its initial release, so that North American animation fans can check out this promising film.
The Secret of Kells opens in Ireland on March 6th.
 |
