Other features include No Longer Human, Fimfárum - Third Time Lucky, First Squad, Metropia, Viva The Nam, One Night in One City, and Redline. There will be a special 30th Anniversary screening of Heavy Metal with director Gerald Potterton in attendance.
A documentary Freleng: Frame by Frame will be followed by a Master Class with director Greg Ford. Proceeds from the show will go to Sun Youth Montreal. A Saturday Morning Cartoon screening will also be for the benefit of Sun Youth Montreal. In addition, they will be holding a charity raffle.
ANIMAZE continues until Sunday, November 20 at Concordia University's Hall Building Auditorium.
http://animazefestival.com/
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ANIMAZE - Montreal's Animation Film Festival
It’s a go for the first annual Animaze Festival on November 18th to the 20th. The opening Friday will take place at the landmark Cinema du Parc with two of our top features from our International film contest up. The Saturday and Sunday (Nov 19th and 20th) will be held at Concordia’s Hall building auditorium with up to 6 shows a day.
The goal of this festival is to celebrate animation in all of its incarnations -- from those cherished Saturday Morning cartoons to the big budget production of major studios.
For our inaugural year, we’ll be presenting an International Film contest, a 30th anniversary presentation of the classic film Heavy Metal with guest director Gerald Potterton, a "Saturday Morning Cartoon" extravaganza for charity, a rare documentary about famed Looney Tunes director Friz Freleng with a presentation from director Greg Ford, an animation shorts contest for Montreal students and a few more surprises.
Films/Events (in alphabetical order)
FIMFÁRUM 3: THIRD TIME LUCKY (CZECH REPUBLIC) **INTERNATIONAL FILM CONTEST ENTRY**
The latest installment in series, Third Time lucky (like its predecessors) is based on fairy tales by renowned author, Jan Werich with each tale is done by a different director. The first story takes us to the Šumava mountains in Southern Bohemia to find out whether Ogres ever lived there. The second story “The Hat and the Little Jay Feather” concerns a wanderlust king trying to find a successor by sending his three sons to bring back a hat he left at a tavern when he was young. The third fairy tale “Reason and Luck” is about the two virtues trying to prove their importance by changing the life of a pig herder named Louis. This film combines state of the art stop-motion and computer animation to produce one of the most polished looking films in its class. A surprisingly quaint film that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Fushi says: The most polished stop-motion film you’ll ever see. A fun and charismatic series about turn of the century Czech fairy tales that doesn’t fail to entertain. The only film in the festival that I could recommend for adults and children if it weren’t for the fact the film is in Czech (with English subtitles). There seems to be a reoccurring theme throughout all 3 films in the series: Czechs like to drink, they make deals with the devil when they are drunk and they are good at tricking the devil and getting out of their pack.
Date and Time: Saturday Nov 19, 11:00 AM
Location: Concordia Hall Building Auditorium
Language: Czech
Subtitles: English
Length: 73 Minutes
FIRST SQUAD – THE MOMENT OF TRUTH (JAPAN/RUSSIA) **INTERNATIONAL FILM CONTEST ENTRY**
Set during the opening days of World War II on the Eastern Front, First Squad follows a group of Soviet teenagers with extraordinary abilities; the teenagers have been drafted to form a special unit to fight the invading German army. They are opposed by a Schutzstaffel (SS) officer who is attempting to raise from the dead a supernatural army of crusaders from the 12th-century Order of the Sacred Cross and enlist them in the Nazi cause for world dominance. Only one young woman by the name of Nadya can stop them.
Fushi says: A unique film in so many ways. It’s a rare collaboration between Japanese and Russian production houses and mixes in live-action interviews to give the feel that the film is an account of actual events. A great action flick that has Nazis, the occult, zombies and teenagers with super powers. What more do you want?
Date and Time: Saturday Nov 19, 3:00 PM
Location: Concordia Hall Building Auditorium
Language: Russian
Subtitles: English
Length: 73 Minutes
FREE JIMMY (NORWAY) follows the story of four low life anti-heroes Roy Arnie (Woody Harrelson), Odd (Simon Pegg), Gaz (Phil Daniels) and Flea (Jay Simpson), who are uprooted from their mean city streets to work in a touring Russian circus in terminal decline. The star attraction is Jimmy, an elephant kept ‘happy’ on a cocktail of drugs. But Roy Arnie has a dream that one day he will run his own circus and he tells the boys that the key to his dream is Jimmy. On the opening night a bungled attempt to give Jimmy his ‘fix’ causes widespread panic. Jimmy escapes and so begins a mad cap cross country road-trip to find Jimmy before he goes cold turkey.
Suddenly everyone wants a piece of Jimmy. A deranged bunch of animal activists led by clean living, straight edged couple Marius (Kyle MacLachlan) and Bettina (Emilia Fox) are after Jimmy to front their cause. A trigger happy Scottish hunting think his head would look great mounted on their wall and The Lappish Mafia – the meanest men in the north want to ‘hit’ him for a big payoff. Jimmy’s only chance is a benevolent moose who befriends him on the road. Can he help to Free Jimmy, release him from his addiction and save him from a million dollar secret...
Fushi says: This is the film that inspired the creation of the Animaze Festival. After festival founder Michael Dahan found and watched this film, he couldn’t understand how this film is not a cult-classic or not even known in animation circles. That’s when he realized that the only family animated features are released in North America. He made it his mission to bring a world filled with incredible animated films home to Montreal. BTW – I agree, this is a great film and a true gem. This film brings a whole range of emotions to the table without going overboard on any. Prepare to be surprised for the better.
Date and Time: Saturday Nov 19, 4:45 PM
Location: Concordia Hall Building Auditorium
Language: English
Subtitles: None
Length: 86 Minutes
FRELENG: FRAME BY FRAME (US) presents Greg Ford's 1994 documentary in its uncut, full-length 105-minute version. The film affords an unprecedented overview of Friz Freleng's extraordinary career, most of it at Warner Bros. and his unforgettable work on Looney Tunes shorts. Its centerpiece is a definitive, in-depth interview with Friz himself, conducted less than two years before his death, in which Friz speaks candidly of his bosses, writers, animators, layout men and the whole process of creating a cartoon. The film was released with a limited edition book in the 90s and has only been screened world-wide a handful of times. The film will be followed with a lecture by director Greg Ford who’ll share more facts and stories about Friz not included in the film. Having worked in the WB studios and on other Looney Tunes documentaries, Greg has an unparalleled insight of the history of Looney Tunes shorts and their creators. PROCEEDS FROM THIS SHOW ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF SUN YOUTH MONTREAL.
Fushi says: A great documentary about a man who most know very little about and who rarely gets the credit he deserves. The real treat is the lecture by Greg Ford afterwards. Responsible for 7 documentaries revolving around the Looney Tunes universe, there’s not a man alive who’s more of an authority on the history of the Golden Age of animation.
Date and Time: Sunday Nov 20, 1:15 PM
Location: Concordia Hall Building Auditorium
Language: English
Subtitles: None
Length: 105 Minutes
HEAVY METAL (CANADA) is a collection of seven loosely connected short stories about a mysterious, evil glowing green ball called the Loc-Nar. One of the stories frames the film, providing opening and closing scenes, as well as transitions. In this overall story, the Loc-Nar narrates its evil influence throughout the galaxy and various planes of existence to a young girl whom it considers to be a threat. Through this narrative conceit, we hear about how the Loc-Nar influenced: Harry Canyon, a futuristic New York City cab driver; Den, a geeky teen boy who is transported to another world and into the perfect masculine body; Captain Lincoln Sternn, a villainous, if well-chiseled space captain; a B-17 bomber crew from World War II; a pair of space-faring, druggie aliens; and Taarna, a sexy warrior maiden who avenges the destruction of her city.
For more information about our special 30th Anniversary show with guest director Gerald Potterton, Click here.
Fushi says: Its Heavy ****’in Metal people!
Date and Time: Saturday Nov 19, 8:45 PM
Location: Concordia Hall Building Auditorium
Language: English
Subtitles: None
Length: 90 minutes
JEZ JERZY (AKA: GEORGE THE HEDGEHOG)(POLAND) **INTERNATIONAL FILM CONTEST ENTRY**
Follows the eponymous skateboarding protagonist as he indulges in hedonistic behaviour and enjoys an illicit relationship with Yola, a woman living a humdrum lifestyle with her dull husband. But George finds himself pursued by mad scientists and Neo-Nazi skinheads who want to clone him to create a new media sensation whereby they can control the country. With its unapologetic, edgey style and violent/sexual content, its reminiscent to the cult classic Fritz The Cat.
Fushi say: There is a good reason Animaze is opening with Jez Jerzy, it rocks! Its animation style seems to ignore all the rules and in the process creates an entirely new style. It truly is a modern Fritz the Cat but with a more coherent storyline. What I love about European animation is they don’t know the meaning of the word politically correct and in this ultra-conservative crazy society, Jez Jerzy it’s a gut-busting breath of fresh air. The film focuses on what I consider to be the basics of life: humor, sex, drugs, flying inflatable sex dolls, booze and love… do we need anything else?
Date and Time: Friday Nov 18, 7:00 PM
Location: Cinema du Parc
Language: Polish
Subtitles: English
Length: 80 minutes
METROPIA (SWEDEN) **INTERNATIONAL FILM CONTEST ENTRY**
This sci-fi animated thriller directed by Tarik Saleh takes place in a not-so-distant future. The world is running out of oil and the underground train systems have been connected into a gigantic subway network beneath Europe. Whenever Roger (Vincent Gallo) from Stockholm enters this system he hears a stranger’s voice in his head. He looks to the mysterious Nina (Juliette Lewis) to help him escape the disturbing web of the Metro, but the further they travel, the deeper he’s involved in a dark conspiracy.--JOEL HOGLUND
Fushi says: They’re out to get you and this film proves it! Another European film with an original style of animation (developed just for this film) that grabs hold and you just can’t look away. Metropia is a thriller that answers the question “What would happen if corporations went too far?” It also explores a few primal issues, one being “how much do you trust your partner/lover” which actually made me contemplate my own conviction. A great film for real fans of animation who want to see something different each time they see a new film. A visual treat with a good, albeit slow at times, story that works well with the animation style.
Date and Time: Saturday Nov 19, 6:45 PM
Location: Concordia Hall Building Auditorium
Language: English
Subtitles: none
Length: 86 minutes
NO LONGER HUMAN (JAPAN) **INTERNATIONAL FILM CONTEST ENTRY**
Is the story of Yozo Oba, a man who believes he is a failure as a human and is constantly trying to prove himself. He is the son of a wealthy congressman, a man with an overbearing presence and importance. Growing up fearing his own father, Yozo rebels by practicing art, something his father always forbid him doing. Caught breaking the law, he lands himself in trouble with the police and ultimately becomes a fugitive. During the commotion he meets a young lady who shares the same views as him, constantly believing that she is a failure and nothing of a human. No Longer Human follows Yozo and the repercussions that this simple meeting cause.
Fushi says: This film is the adaptation of #2 best-selling book of all time in Japan and it definitely packs a punch. It’s a storyline everyone can relate to as I’m sure we’ve felt a sense of not belonging/ being disconnected to this world at one point. Incredible japanimation art to go along with a great story makes this film a double winner. It recently won top prize at Italy’s Future Film Festival. Just don’t watch it with a bottle of pills.
Date and Time: Friday Nov 18, 9:00 PM
Location: Cinema du Parc
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Length: 89 minutes
ONE NIGHT IN ONE CITY (CZECH REPUBLIC) Intricate stop-motion animation is brought to bear on a trio of bleak, surreal parables in this dyspeptic horror toon. In a faded apartment block (stories were inspired by Prague's boho Zizkov neighborhood), various characters with heads like misshapen potatoes indulge in hobbies such as dead insect circuses, urban bear hunts, pet cremations and donkey worship. Later, a fish and a tree share the Christmas holiday. Finally, two drunks go on a nocturnal thrill ride.
Fushi says: Before I say anything, I want you to check out the poster for this film. You get exactly what you think you’d get from a movie that shows a man snorting coke and ants as its selling point. It’s a smorgish-borg of insane, funny as hell stories that make me want to visit to the Czech Republic and find out what’s in the water that made them put out such an uniquely haunting and joyful film.
Date and Time: Sunday Nov 20, 4:30 PM
Location: Concordia Hall Building Auditorium
Language: Non-spoken Film
Subtitles: None
Length: 76 minutes
REDLINE (JAPAN) **INTERNATIONAL FILM CONTEST ENTRY**
JP is a young man with a super-cool retro style and a love for racing along at reckless speeds. He’s earned a large following thanks to his sense of fashion and a habit of crashing spectacularly before he can finish a race. As well as his reputation for dangerous wrecks, he is also on bail for a previous incident that may have involved match-fixing. After losing a race to "Cherry-Boy Hunter" Sonosee and winding up in hospital, things aren't looking too great. Calamity suddenly turns on its head when a top-ranked racer drops out of the coming Grand Prix "RED LINE" out of fear of the lack of safety. Voted in by popular vote and a love for his ducktail haircut, JP is jetted off to the Miliatarian Robot Planet to be reunited with Sonosee and take part in the one race that will change his life forever.
Fushi says: HOLY $HIT! One of the best action movies I’ve seen, animated or not! The pace is warp 10, the humor is over-the-top and a perfect foil to set-up the action sequences. I saw this film at Fantaisa and I still can’t close my jaw. Twitch.com (which is the authority on everything cool) rated Redline the best film of 2010, period! Just see it. Clone yourself so you can see it twice
Date and Time: Sunday Nov 20, 6:15 PM
Location: Concordia Hall Building Auditorium
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Length: 102 minutes
SATURDAY MORNING CARTOON EXTRAVAGANZA FOR CHARITY!!! Do you remember waiting all week for Saturday morning to arrive so we anchor ourselves in front of the TV to enjoy our favorite cartoons shows. Relive the best part of your childhood for a good cause as Animaze Festival recreats CBS’s 1986 original Saturday Morning line-up with all proceeds going to Sun Youth Montreal. Hopefully the first of many such shows, we launch the premier of this event with a killer line-up that includes Berestain Bear, Muppet Babies, Galaxy High and the unforgetable Pee Wee’s Playhouse. Note: CBS’s 1986 was chossen mainly because this year marks the 25th anniversary of the preimer of Pee Wee’s Playhouse. Feel old yet?
Date and Time: Saturday Nov 19, 1:00 PM
Location: Concordia Hall Building Auditorium
Language: English
Subtitles: none
Length: 86 minutes
Pee Wee’s Playhouse theme song. Writen by Danny Elfman, performed by Cyndi Lauper
VIVA THE NAM (US) **INTERNATIONAL FILM CONTEST ENTRY**
The first feature-length no-rules stop-motion action comedy to star only action figures! Viva The ‘Nam depicts the bizarre adventures of Pvt. Joe Holmes, a marine stationed in Vietnam's "I Corps" from 1968-1969. The last of a family line that has lost a man in every single American conflict, Holmes will have to overcome communist armies, Russian Roulette rounds, USO riots, bloodthirsty drill instructors, leeches, drunk drivers, an M16-wielding Charlton Heston, and poop-smoking Frenchmen to make it out of Vietnam alive! Impossibly intricate, the film was made over the course of eight years (!!), a sprawling epic the likes of which GI Joe stop-motion animation has never seen before (and will probably never see again). Don't miss this opportunity to witness cinematic history while you bust a few guts!
Fushi says: A hilarious spoof on every ‘Nam film ever made, you’ll never look at GI Joe dolls the same again. The film was manufactured as a labor of love by creators Paul Hanley and Keiren Healy whose only intentions were to make something fun. Eight years and a thousand dolls later, we have film that feels epic at times portraying full scale battles with incredible detail. But the focus is clearly on the boarder-line toilet humor that somehow never crosses the line to being juvenile which works so well in the backdrop of one of world’s darkest wars.
Date and Time: Sunday Nov 20, 11:00 AM
Location: Concordia Hall Building Auditorium
Language: English
Subtitles: none
Length: 107 minutes
http://animazefestival.com/
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