Iranian 2D feature animation ‘The Last Fiction’ will be presented in the Cannes Film Market at Cannes Film Festival, May 11-22.
A production of Hoorakhsh Studios, the animation is among the four projects, all intheir production phase, which will be introduced in the market by the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Mehr News Agency reported.
Written and directed by Ashkan Rahgozar and produced by Pooyan Mokri, the animation will be presented in Cannes along with three other projects from Colombia, France and Poland.
As part of the new partnership with the Cannes Film Market, this year the Annecy has been included in the ‘Goes to Cannes’ showcase sessions to back a selection of animated feature films.
This is yet another way for Annecy to support the industry, as it provides a unique opportunity to scout animations from across the globe chosen for their technique, outstanding potential or infinite narrative and creative and artistic resources.
“The idea is to give sales agents and festival programmers the opportunity in Cannes to discover a selection of worksinprogress from different regions,” said Julie Bergeron, Cannes Film Market head of industry programs.
“Showcasing films that are still in production means that potential partners can become involved at the production stage, and have the possibility of being completed with the eye and opinion of experts in the international film business. Hopefully, they can also be picked up by sales agents, which will facilitate even more the future of their projects overseas, “said Jerome Paillard, executive director.
In 2013 ‘The Last Fiction’ competed in Annecy in France and became one of the six projects selected and introduced to the world.
Free Adaption
The 2-hour animation is a free adaptation of the story of Kaveh and Zahhak from the epic Shahnameh (Book of Kings) by the great Persian poet Ferdowsi.
The story happens in the dark times when Zahhak, whose soul was taken by the Devil, was the king of Persis. Kaveh, a blacksmith, leads a revolt against him and a battle between darkness and light commences.
Pointing to the heavy work which involves a team of 100 young animators and designers, Rahgozar said, “wehave been working on the project since 2010 and hope it will get ready in the second half of 2017”.
Christophe Rezai, an award-winning French-Iranian composer, is making the music for the animation.
Founded in 2005 by a young team, Hoorakhsh studio wants to produce experimental animation with special techniques and contents. The group has so far made several short animations, video games, music videos and advertisement teasers. ‘The Last Fiction’ is the first long animated movie the studio is producing.
