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RELEASES Belgium

Stassen’s 3D ocean odyssey

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The much-predicted 3D revolution seems to be quietly underway on European screens. This summer, a season particularly conducive to enjoying oneself, many such works have been springing up, from Toy Story 3 to Shrek Forever After.

Fearlessly and irreproachably braving this bottleneck of 3D productions, a “little” Belgian is joining the line-up. Little, but not a novice. In fact, Ben Stassen previously directed the first film made exclusively for 3D projection, Fly Me to the Moon [+see also:
trailer
film profile
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(2008), which was an international hit.

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He returns to French and Belgian theatres on August 11 with Sammy’s Adventures: The Secret Passage [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
. After launching ants into space, this time Stassen plunges to the depths of the oceans, and traces the journey of Sammy the sea turtle, from his birth in 1959, to his final return to the beach where he was born, after 50 years of aquatic travels.

Over the years, Sammy and his friends witness climatic and environmental changes, a playful way to raise young children’s awareness of these issues. Indeed, Stassen’s films work on a simple level, while Pixar and Dreamworks are known for their cartoons “for adults”.

While the story is (sometimes a little too) warm-hearted, the graphic prowess is plain to see. Recreating the underwater depths in 3D is a challenge that Stassen and the nWave team have pulled off brilliantly.

The film, which cost “only” €21m (including €9m from the Tax Shelter), is produced by Brussels-based nWave, with backing from the Belgian French Community and the VAF. It also received the active participation of StudioCanal, which has, moreover, entered into a rather unusual partnership with Universal Music (not Picture). Not happy just to provide access to the rights of the rock standards that punctuate the soundtrack, the latter is also expected to get involved in the film’s US distribution.

The stellar voice-over cast in the French-language version includes Dany Boon, Olivia Ruiz and Elie Semoun. The film is being released in Belgium by Kinepolis.

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(Translated from French)

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