NOMINATIONS 2011
European Film Academy Animated Feature Film
The three films in the running for this year’s animation prize
A CAT IN PARIS (Une Vie De Chat) (France-Belgium) Dirs Alan Gagnol, Jean-Loup Felicioli Directed by crime writer Jean-Loup Felicioli and artist and novelist Alain Gagnol, who also wrote the script, A Cat In Paris is a blend of crime thriller and classic family animation, using old- fashioned cartoon aesthetics to great effect. The film centres on Dino, a cat living a double life. By day he is the loyal companion of Zoe, a lonely young girl and the daughter of the local police chief. By night, Dino accompanies Nico the burglar, stealing from wealthy households. Produced by Folimage and sold worldwide
by Films Distribution, A Cat In Paris has been a festival favourite on the international circuit throughout 2010 and 2011. It has screened at the Berlinale and the London Film Festival among many others and was released in France by Gebeka Films and in Benelux by Benelux Film Distribution. It is the first feature film for both Felicioli and Gagnol.
CHICO & RITA (Spain-UK) Dirs Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal, Tono Errando The steamy, seductive worlds of Havana, New York, Hollywood and Las Vegas in the 1940s and 1950s are evoked in this passionate love story about young Cuban jazz singer and pianist Chico (voiced by Emar Xor Ona) and talented club singer Rita (voiced by Limara Meneses and sung by Idania Valdes). Chico & Rita is the first feature animation
from the multi-award-winning Spanish director Fernando Trueba, whose Latin jazz documen- tary Calle 54 was nominated for a European Film Award in 2000. Artist Javier Mariscal cre- ated the poster for that film and went on to design all the artwork for Trueba’s Calle 54 Records. The inspiration for Chico & Rita came from an animated pop promo Trueba and Mar- iscal made through the label. Together they brought Mariscal’s brother Tono Errando on board to work with them on the feature. The film was set up as a Spain-UK co-produc-
tion between Spain’s Estudio Mariscal and Fern- ando Trueba Producciones, and the UK’s Magic Light Pictures. Financing came from the Isle of Man’s CinemaNX, which also released the film theatrically in the UK. It was sold by HanWay Pictures and debuted at the Telluride and Toronto International Film Festivals in 2010. It grossed ¤900,000 on release in Spain via Walt Disney International.
44 n European Film Awards 2011
THE RABBI’S CAT (Le Chat Du Rabbin) (France) Dirs Joann Sfar, Antoine Delesvaux Based on the five-volume series of graphic nov- els of the same name by co-director Joann Sfar, The Rabbi’s Cat is about a cat which gains the ability to speak after swallowing a parrot in 1920s Algiers. The cat is now able to express his every
thought, which includes his desire for the rab- bi’s daughter and an interest in converting to Judaism. A mysterious Russian artist soon arrives in the household and convinces the Rabbi to join him on his quest through the desert to discover a mystical city. They take the cat with them. The ambitious film ponders the teachings of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, ultimately discovering how much common ground they enjoy. The Rabbi’s Cat is Sfar’s second feature
based on one of his own graphic novels, following 2010’s Serge Gainsbourg biopic Gainsbourg. Co-produced by Autochenille Prod uction and TFI Droits Audiovisuels, it won the Cristal prize for best feature at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France in June. UGC Distribution released The Rabbi’s Cat in France in 3D where it has grossed over ¤3m.
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