Ecological message in Mia and the Migoo

10/12/2008

In the same spirit as Raining Cats and Dogs (1.2m admissions in France in 2003 and several international awards), Jacques-Rémy Girerd’s second feature, Mia and the Migoo [+see also:
trailer
film profile], is being launched in theatres today. The film combines the ecological education of the young with the poetic world of animation.

Released by Gebeka on 304 screens, the film – which includes voice-overs by Dany Boon and Yolande Moreau – takes its graphic inspiration from impressionist painters such as Matisse, Dufy and Cézanne.

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Co-written by the director, Antoine Lanciaux, Iouri Tcherenkov and Benoît Chieux, the film is set in South America. A sense of foreboding causes 10-year-old Mia to go in search of her father who is working on an enormous building site to transform a tropical forest into a luxury hotel. During her expedition, she discovers the forces and spirits of nature, in particular the Migoos.

Girerd commented at the presentation of his film: "Nature is fragile, the slightest thing disturbs its harmony and modern man has greatly worsened the imbalances". The director continued: "On a geological scale, the damage is dramatic, some say irreversible. Only the children of tomorrow will no doubt be able to understand which direction man should take. Ecology is not just about home insulation, the promotion of renewable energy sources and the reduction of greenhouse gases. It’s about a new relationship with ourselves and the Earth."

Produced by Folimage, Mia and the Migoo was made for €8.4m. The budget included co-production support from France 3 Cinéma, Rhône-Alpes Cinéma and Bayard Presse, as well as a 10% investment from Italy (Turin’s Enarmonia and Milan-based Gertie) and Sayers Studio.

The film also received an advance on receipts from the National Film Centre (CNC) and pre-sales from Canal + and TPS. International sales are being handled by Celluloïd Dreams.

Four other French productions are hitting screens this Wednesday: Philippe Haïm’s Secrets of State [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (UGC Distribution on 260 screens - see news); Lyes Salem’s Masquerades [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (Haut et Court Distribution on 50 screens - see news); Christine Dory’s Les inséparables [+see also:
trailer
film profile], starring the late Guillaume Depardieu and Marie Vialle (Pierre Grise Distribution); and Francis Veber’s comedy A Pain in the Ass [+see also:
trailer
film profile], starring Richard Berry and Patrick Timsit, which is a remake of Edouard Molinaro’s 1973 film (TFM Distribution on 595 screens).