22/03/2007

An unusual but definitely appealing initiative by Atalanta Filmes will this week give animation lovers the opportunity to see in theatres – and outside the festival circuit - Regina Pessoa's highly acclaimed short film Tragic Story with Happy Ending, shown together with Nanni Moretti's The Caiman [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jean Labadie
interview: Nanni Moretti
film profile].

The film, co-produced by Ciclope Filmes (Portugal), Folimage (France) and Office National du Canada is the most praised local animated film ever, with a total of 39 prizes conquered at an impressive list of film showcases, including Cinanima (Portugal), Annecy (France), SICAF (South Korea) and Mecal (Spain), among others.

Pessoa's film was also nominated for the Cartoon d'Or prize and shortlisted for the Academy Awards and the French Césars.

Moretti, who has been highly acclaimed by the local intellectual elite since Dear Diary and April, is back on the big screen with Cannes 2006 entry The Caiman (see focus). This satire on contemporary Italian society was the great winner at the latest David di Donatello ceremony, with a total of six awards: Best Film, Producer, Director, Actor (Silvio Orlando), Music and Sound.

The two titles are the only European releases of the week, coming out alongside four US films.