Secret of kells takes on animation big boys in oscar races. Movie info young brendan lives in the abbey of kells, a remote medieval outpost under siege from raiding barbarians. From the stifling restrictions of abbey life during the time of the viking raiders, a young monk finds life and magic and danger when he escapes to the woods, and finds a kindred spirit. It is a very sweet story about a young boy living in an abby in ireland at the time of the viking raids. To help complete the magical book, brendan has to overcome his deepest.
He is cofounder of cartoon saloon, an animation studio and production company, based in kilkenny, ireland. The secret of kells is an absolutely magical story, with the most delicately beautiful animation i have seen. The films style inventively mirrors the book of kellss flat perspective circa 800 a. The animation in the secret of kells is probably unlike anything you have seen before. It is a fictional and fantasy retelling of how the book of kells was completed and what those at the abbey had to go through to protect it. The films simple plot and premise is based on facts. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript that is basically an early illustrated bible, which includes the four gospels and the life of jesus christ. Just as every margin of the book of kells is crowded with minute and glorious decorations, so is every shot of the film filled with patterns and borders, arches and frames, dodads and scrimshaw images.
Two tiny gems kisses and prince of broadway, two offbeat animated films a town called panic and the secret of kells, and a pair of proficient hollywood entertainments unstoppable and the town helped brighten this year. However, not everyone may know about the book of kells despite its importance to the irish people. It went into wide release in belgium and france on 11 february, and ireland on 3 march. Like the book of kells, all the backgrounds of the film are detailed in a way that suggests life movement even in immobile trees and stones, giving the film its unique look. Acclaimed independent irish studio cartoon saloon will be launching their new film art book designing the secret of kells at san diego comiccon, as well as presenting neverbeforeseen clips from. The story lacks a few parts, but it is an interesting take on a fascinating piece of history. And of course, it delivers an aesthetically compelling style of animation, a world inspired by the book of kells. These study notes are suitable for ks2 history, literacy and art. The animation, in broad terms, is similar to the style popularized by genndy tartakovsky in projects like dexters laboratory, the powerpuff girls, and samurai jack. His first two feature films, the secret of kells 2009, codirected with nora twomey, and song of the sea 2014, have received critical acclaim and were both nominated for the academy. The secret of kells is one of the most stunning art directed animation features in quite some time. Book of kells acts as inspiration for new animated adventure film. Song of the sea director tomm moore discusses the future of handdrawn animation and the magic of irish folklore in the wake of his second oscar nomination.
Oct 02, 2010 the uncle is obsessed with building a wall to keep out the ferocious norse invaders, but brendan throws in his hand with the dedicated group of artists creating the book of kells, the illuminated. Magic, fantasy and celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in this sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times. This guide is useful for exploring topics including pshe education and religious education, in addition to highlighting themes. The art alone is astonishing in its faithfulness to the book of kells itself. Apr 08, 2010 broadly speaking, the design of the film suggests an illuminated manuscript, in terms of the lines and patterns on objects. We can liken the labors of the characters on an illuminated bible in medieval times to. The secret of kells jbfc edu jacob burns film center. An irish import taking its inspiration from, of all things, the 12centuryold book of kells, an illuminated manuscript transcribed by celtic monks, the stirring tale, with its startlingly vibrant. Sep 30, 2010 the secret of kells 3 5 stars 3 out of 5 stars. The secret of kells what is this remarkable animated. Come down and get one signed today or any day until sunday.
Ancient book inspires classic animation of the secret of. As is often commented, the animation style is inspired by and closely related to the real book of kells. The secret of kells introduces the illuminated animation of the awardwinning director tomm moore and is produced by the acclaimed producers of skunk fu. Tomm moore director of cartoon saloons the secret of kells accepted the prestigious audience award for best feature film at the 33rd annecy animation festival in france. Dont miss the criticallyacclaimed, oscarnominated debut feature from director tomm moore song of the sea and animation studio cartoon saloon. In order to finish brother aidens book, brendan must overcome his deepest fears on a secret quest that will take him beyond the abbey walls and into the enchanted forest where dangerous mythical creatures hide. The film features original music by the academy award nominated bruno coulais and kila. Directed by tomm moore, the film is a coproduction with the people who did the triplets of belleville and its nearly finished. Thanks to jerry beck for this photo from comiccon of the designing the secret of kells books arriving at comic con. Adventure awaits 12 year old brendan who must fight vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary book of kells. It is all too easy to glance at the secret of kells and dismiss it as a combination of typical walt disney and cartoon network, but that is doing the film a grave disservice. Its a mixture of irish mythology and actual history, based on a thousandyearold illuminated manuscript, the book of kells. The secret of kells might rush it plot, but it visuals and what it culturally shares are mesmerizing. Mar 16, 2010 the films simple plot and premise is based on facts.
A film guide that looks at the secret of kells 2009, an oscarnominated handdrawn animation about a boy living in mediaeval ireland who must complete a magic manuscript. The 12thcentury writer gerald of wales, in his topographia hibernica, described seeing a great gospel book in kildare which many have since assumed was the book of kells. It has a rather unique animation style and is visually stunning. With the viking hordes approaching, the monks of kells are forced to turn their attention from transcribing manuscripts to building barricades. The secret of kells wins prestigious audience award at the annecy festival of animation. Look at the image gallery at the filmsofficial website think back to. Itll be in theaters here in january, distributed by disney. The animation for this fictitous tale of the making of the very real book of kells, a beautiful irish version of the bible, is truly breathtaking. While all of the animation is impressive, its the forest thats most affecting, with all of the greens, browns, and blues creating a lush place of wonder and mystery. At first the animation appears to be mostly the 2d style with simple cartoon characters moving in front of highly painted backgrounds. The film is set in the 8th century, when viking raiders threatened to extinguish irish monastic. This unlikely irish animation, about the monks working on the book of kells, is a quiet, pleasurable film, says peter bradshaw.
Moores first animated feature film, which he codirected with nora twomey, is the secret of kells 2009, written by fabrice ziolkowski from a story by moore and aidan harte. This is one of the most beautiful animated films ive ever seen. Suggest me movie is a free webbased film recommendation. The book of kells is one of the finest and most famous, and also one of the latest, of a group of manuscripts in what is known as the insular style, produced from the late 6th through the early 9th centuries in monasteries in ireland, scotland and england and in continental monasteries with hibernoscottish or anglosaxon foundations. Almost every frame is full of rich textures that give the film a sumptuous look. It is a coproduction by the cartoon saloon, les armateurs, vivi film and france 2 cinema.
Although the secret of kells lost the academy award to the excellent up, its nomination should ensure that it remains a secret gem no more. A lot of celtic design came from the book of kells, so we thought that was a good starting point. Mar 31, 2010 ancient book inspires classic animation of the. I love its beautiful art, its endearing and strongly developed characters, its simple. The secret of kells trailer new original animation youtube. Mar 05, 2010 there is a lot to look at in the secret of kells. He is cofounder of cartoon saloon, an animation studio and production company based in kilkenny, ireland. A bewitching animated fairytale for children and adults alike. Aug 22, 2019 the secret of kells lovingly pays tribute to the history and artistry of the book of kells while weaving a clever, fun story. I would recommend looking up briefly the book of kells just to get an idea of what myself and this film are talking about. By the same artists who made the book of kells film, which was very good. Brendan and the secret of kells is an animated fantasy feature film distributed by cartoon saloon. Set in the 9th century ireland, factual details concerning the writing and illumination of the book of kells. Despite giving it a modern spin, the visuals deliberately recall classic illuminations.
Nearly every frame of this 75minute animated feature is dense with curlicued and crosshatched patterns and figures. To help complete the magical book, brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into format. Cartoon saloon the secret of kells animated feature film. Tomm moore born 7 january 1977 is an irish filmmaker, animator, illustrator and comics artist. This vibrant animation is a spirited retelling of the provenance of irelands most cherished artefact, the book of kells.
Secret of kells takes on animation big boys in oscar. Moore, the director of the animated film the secret of kells, grew up and still lives in kilkenny, ireland, a. The secret of kells is an animated film set in and around the abbey of kells in county meath in ireland. Based on the origins of irelands most famous illustrated manuscript, the book of kells, the film was created by awardwinning irish studio, cartoon saloon. Magic, fantasy, and celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in a sweeping story about the power of. Maria obrien the secret of kells 2009, a film for a post. Mar 03, 2010 even in a year with a lot of unlikely oscar nominees, tomm moore is a reach. The secret of kells animated feature film cartoon saloon. Also in 2014, moore codirected a segment of the salma hayek produced film the prophet with ross stewart, adapted from kahlil gibrans book of prose poetry essays, the prophet. I didnt know that this book actually exists, but knowing it now makes my interpretation and analysis much a lot easier. I think it will help your viewing experience a lot more. Film guide a film guide that looks at the secret of kells 2009, exploring its key topics and themes through informal discussion. This animated film gives a fictionalized account of the creation of the book of kells, an illuminated manuscript of the bible which has since become an irish national.
Mar 31, 2010 this and his further adventures are related in tomm moores film, which is a little like an illuminated manuscript itself. I came to the book of kells backward, says moore, who grew up a big fan of comics and animation, notably disneys mulan and richard williamss unfinished. Tomm moore, who directed the film and came up with the story, used the mere existence of the book of kells as the springboard for his story. Tomm moore is a feature length animated film that plays with myth, truth and fiction to propose an originating story for the book of kells, a highly decorated 8 th century insular book containing the four gospels of the bible. Gkids has come aboard to executive produce the breadwinner, the new film from animation studio cartoon saloon. Brendan has spent his life living with his uncle, the abbott at. An early look at distinctive animated film the secret of. Mar 30, 2017 the book of kells is a sacred item among the irish, so it makes sense that it is the centre of this animation both in terms of the story and style. His first feature film, the secret of kells, was nominated for an academy award for best animated feature film on 2 february 2010.
Moore is working on a second feature film entitled song of the sea 2014. It looks to be a fantastic comic and film, please vote for it on this guinness arts grant site to help him achieve the funding. Even in a year with a lot of unlikely oscar nominees, tomm moore is a reach. Ancient book inspires classic animation of the secret of kells. To help complete the magical book, brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest. Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, the secret of kells hearkens back to animations golden age with an. The secret of kells is a 2009 frenchbelgianirish animated fantasy film animated by cartoon saloon that premiered on 8 february 2009 at the 59th berlin international film festival. This unexpected find has quickly become one of my favorite movies. The best animated films of the 21st century ranked. Magic, fantasy, and celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in a. May 19, 2015 2010 academy award nominee, best animated feature.
The story begins in mediaeval ireland, where 12yearold brendan has come to live with his uncle, the abbot cellach, in his monastery. The animation can carry a film so far before it falls short. One day a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an. The secret of kells study notes optimum releasing 1 film education july 2011. The secret of kells 2009 christen mooney in the secret of kells 2009 the. Prime video streaming online video this is a great movie for fans of animation and is.
The book of kells movie online, watch the secret of kells full movie online free in hd quality on any in the village carrying an ancient book full of secret powers and wisdom bites. Tomm moores 2009 irish fantasy film the secret of kells was my introduction to animation studio cartoon saloon and subsequently indie animation such a treasure i came across and so wish to see. To help complete the magical book, brendan must overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest into the enchanted forest where he meets aisling, a mysterious young girl. The secret of kells 2010 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. The sparse celtic musical score is effective in evoking the sense of fantasy that imbues the film. The secret of kells is a 2009 frenchbelgianirish animated fantasy film animated by cartoon. The film is based on the story of the origin of the book of kells, an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four gospels of the. Sep 12, 2011 maria obrien the secret of kells 2009, a film for a post celtic tiger ireland. It also draws heavily on irish folklore and medieval irish poetry, with the inclusion of aisling and a lovable cat named pangurban. The secret of kells is an independent, animated feature that gives us one of the fabled stories surrounding the book of kells, an illuminated manuscript from the middle ages featuring the four gospels of the new testament.
The mystery of the book of kells is revealed and brought to life once again, in this superb award winning animation film. Two tiny gems kisses and prince of broadway, two offbeat animated films a town. This book contains the harmony of the four evangelists according to jerome, where for almost every page there are different designs, distinguished by varied colours. The secret of kells the secret of kells wiki fandom. Given its a film that is about 75 minutes one will be shocked by the abrupt ending that never materialize the true power of the book of kells holds. The secret of kells what is this remarkable animated feature. The secret of kells the secret of kells, book of kells. The character designs are simplistic and cartoonish, but contrast with the rest of the film. Tomm moores christians, pagans, fairy girls and beasts the. Brendan has spent his life living with his uncle, the abbott at the abbey of kells. An introduction to the book of kells and the beautiful film the secret of kells made by the studio cartoon saloon. The production consisted of different directors for each of the film s collective essays, with animation director, roger allers supervising and credited as screenwriter. The uncle is obsessed with building a wall to keep out the ferocious norse invaders, but brendan throws in his hand with the dedicated group of artists creating the book of. This is not just a film but an experience of cultural immersion.
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