Tag Archives: animated feature

‘THE MISSING (Fantasia 2024) Beautiful digital rotoscope animation unfolds a genre-defying film.

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Fantasia 2024 logoTHE MISSING

The Missing poster

Eric has a well-paying job as an animator, a crush on a co-worker, and harbors a secret. Filmmaker director Carl Joseph Papa brings Fantasia 2024 audiences his third feature-length animated film, THE MISSING. Hindering Eric’s new romance are the memories triggered after discovering his estranged uncle dead. Can Eric finally find his voice? 

The_Missing_02The longer Eric waits to tell his loved ones, the stranger his life gets. An alien threatens to take him back to outer space. He is losing time, and his body parts are falling off. This aspect is particularly upsetting because he is literally missing his mouth. This creative metaphor becomes the backbone of THE MISSING. 

Digital Rotoscope adult animation often has a heavy feel. In the last 20 years, films like A Scanner Darkly (which blew my mind in 2006), The Spine of Night, and The Peasants give audiences a similar vibe. It is undoubtedly a cinematic wonder, drawing your eye to places you might not otherwise look had filmmakers shot on digital or even traditional film. There is a beauty that harkens back somewhere between Henri Matisse and Disney. 

The_Missing_04I wasn’t aware that I grew up on Rotoscope films before doing a quick Google search. Some of my most beloved childhood films fall into the genre- The Lord of the Rings (1978), The Secret of NIMH (1982), and Anastasia (1997). First introduced in 1918, I had no idea the process was so old. THE MISSING stylistically mirrors The Spine of the Night rather than Alice In Wonderland. 2D animation illustrates Eric’s childhood memories in a stunning visual contrast that serves a dual purpose. The choice to childishly scribble over Uncle’s face speaks volumes. It is a visually captivating film. 

Carlo Aquino is esquisite as Eric. The vulnerability that flows from Aquino without dialogue is astonishing. What a star. Backed up by the extraordinary duo of Dolly De Leon and Gio Gahol, THE MISSING is a uniquely crafted metaphor for unresolved trauma. It’s a poignant exploration of abuse, grief, and healing, and a creative catharsis.

Remaining Screenings of THE MISSING:

Sun August 04, 2024
5:15 PM

Salle J.A. De Sève
PRESENTED WITH The Sun, Moon and the Mountain

BUY TICKETS
 

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Annecy International Animation Festival 2024
Palm Springs International Film Festival 2024
International Film Festival Rotterdam 2024
Osaka Asian Film Festival 2024
Queer East Festival 2024

HONORS

Best Supporting Actress for Dolly de Leon – Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2023

Philippines’ submission to the 96th Academy Awards

Best Film – Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2023

NETPAC Award – Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2023

For all things Fantasia 2024, click here!

Trailer Drop: Sean O’Reilly’s animated fantasy ‘HEROES OF THE GOLDEN MASK’ is coming this June.

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Patton Oswalt (“Veronica Mars”, The Secret Life of Pets 2), Ron Perlman ( Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Hellboy), and, in his final performance, the late Christopher Plummer star in Heroes of the Golden Mask, coming to this June from Gravitas Ventures.

Inspired by the ancient bronze masks of Sanxingdui discovered on the archaeological site of Guanghan in the Sichuan Province in the late ‘80s, director Sean O’Reilly’s adventure-packed animated treat centers on Charlie, a wise-cracking, homeless, American orphan who is magically transported to the ancient Chinese kingdom of Sanxingdui, where a colorful team of superheroes need his help to defend the city from a brutal conqueror. Charlie joins the heroes, and secretly schemes to steal the priceless golden masks that grant them their powers.

Heroes of the Golden Masks will premiere on digital June 9 from Gravitas Ventures.

 

Produced by CG Bros Entertainment, Arcana Studios, and Golden Image Cultural Communication Inc, Heroes of the Golden Masks also features the voices of Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon : Sword of Destiny), Byron Mann (Skyscraper), Osric Chau (2012), Kiefer O’Reilly (“The Mighty Ducks : Game Changers”), and director Reilly.

Review: ‘Big Fish & Begonia’ is a luscious Chinese fairy tale.

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BIG FISH & BEGONIA

From ancient Chinese legends comes a beautiful tale of love and sacrifice. There is a mystical race of beings that control the tide and the changing of the seasons. But one of these beings, a young girl named Chun, wants to experience the human world, not simply observe it. When she turns sixteen, Chun is allowed to transform into a dolphin and explore the human world. However, she soon learns this world is a dangerous place. Chun is nearly killed in a vortex, but saved by a human boy at the cost of his own life. Moved by his kindness and courage, she decides to give the boy life again, but this power comes at a price. Chun will have to face adventure and sacrifice in order to protect the boy’s soul until it is ready to return to the human world.

Big Fish & Begonia is part love story, part fable, and all elegant Chinese animation. This visually luscious film follows in the steps of Studio Ghibli delights in both wonder and overall feel of the storytelling. While you do feel the entire 105 minute run of the film that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The story has enough going on to engage an age-appropriate audience. With a PG-13 rating, some themes will go over the heads of younger viewers. It is the perfect film to enjoy, just sitting back, listening, and watching the vivid colors and curious characters that pop up along the way. It has a bit of a Hans Christain Anderson’s Little Mermaid feel but most definitely has more going on. And without a doubt, it deserves to be viewed on the largest screen possible. Big Fish & Begonia opens today. Check out the trailer below for a taste of the film.

Shout! Studios will release the film in New York and major cities across the country starting April 6th with a national rollout to follow on April 11th.

 

Big Fish & Begonia made its international debut at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival. Already a great box-office success overseas, the film is China’s foremost animated feature film