06/05/2024 - The title of the animated film is inspired by British musician Robert Wyatt's album of the same name, half a century after its release

Based on the music and life of Robert Wyatt and Alfreda Benge, Rock Bottom is a story of the self-destructive love of this young couple, immersed in the groundbreaking turmoil of hippie culture. A passionate Balearic summer turns nightmarish in a journey through Wyatt's musical themes: the euphoria and anguish of artistic creation, the unconscious fascination with drugs, the disenchantment of routine and physical and mental degradation. This is the plot of Rock Bottom, the debut film by Spanish director María Trénor, which will be presented worldwide in the official competition section of the 43rd Annecy International Animation Film Festival (9-15 June).

According to the director, "There is no better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Robert Wyatt's album Rock Bottom than to have the world premiere of its animated film adaptation at Annecy Film Festival. And almost exactly at the same time as its launch, in June 1974". "Of course," the filmmaker continues, "the music is the heart of the film, as all the songs from Rock Bottom play throughout the film, performed by Wyatt himself. And as exciting as the artist's life has been, this is not a biopic, but a recreation that reflects such a key moment in his generation as the early seventies of the last century. So, I hope that this feature film will be like the album: a musical and existential journey that makes us feel alive and reminds us that beauty can be born out of pain."

María Trénor, who holds a degree in Fine Arts from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and teaches at the city’s School of Art and Design, has produced and directed several animated short films shot in 35mm. ¿Con qué la lavaré? (2003) won several awards, such as the Teddy Bear Award for best short film at the Berlin Film Festival and Animadrid 2004, and was selected for the Sundance and Annecy film festivals. Her next work Ex-libris (2009) won several awards and was nominated for best animated short film at the Goya Awards. And her last film ¿Dónde estabas tú? (2020) won the WIA Diversity Award at the SPARK International Animation Festival in Canada.

Rock Bottom is a 2D rotoscope animation film by Spanish companies Alba Sotorra Cinema Productions and Jaibo Films and the Polish company Grupa Smacznego/GS Animation, co-financed by ICAA, Polski Instytut Sztuki Filmowej, Gdansk Film Commission, Krakow Film Commission and Likaon. It was presented as a project in Spanish Screenings: Financing & Tech at San Sebastian 2022, WIP Europe at the same festival the following year and at the Annecy Animation Showcase on Animation Day at the Marché du Film 2023, among other industry events. The film will be in Spanish cinemas soon, distributed by Avalon. International sales are under negotiation.

(Translated from Spanish by Vicky York)