“April and the Twisted World”, also titled “April and the Extraordinary World” (French title: “Avril et le Monde truqué) is a 2015 French-Belgian-Canadian animated film directed by Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci. Marion Cotillard voices the title role. The film is an adaptation of the graphic novel by Jacques Tardi.
Best Feature Film at Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
1941. France is stuck in time in the pre-industrial era, in a world ruled by coal, where scientists vanish mysteriously.
Napoleon V rules France and for the last 70 years, scientists have been mysteriously disappearing, depriving mankind of their inventions. Avril/April, a teenage girl, goes in search of her parents, two of the missing scientists. One day, while trying to find a remedy for her sick pet, she invents a mysterious serum, which marks the start of an epic and life-changing journey.
By the same animation studio that delivered the poignant “Persepolis”, the film takes viewers on a riveting and poetic journey through an alternate world.
The graphic design is by French comics master Jacques Tardi, and has a delicious vintage feel with its rich 2D universe, offering a welcome break from the ubiquitous computer-animated features.
The voices are spot-on with award-winning actress Marion Cotillard as Avril/April and legendary French actor Jean Rochefort playing her mad scientist grand-father. Singer Philippe Katerine’s cat is priceless.
‘April and the twisted world’, which deservedly claimed the top prize at this year’s Annecy Animated Film Festival, is a rare movie that will inspire adults and kids alike.
Production companies: Je Suis Bien Content, StudioCanal, Arte France Cinema, Jouror Distribution, Kaibou Production Inc., Need Productions, RTBF-Radio Television Belge Francophone, Proximus, Wallimage SA
Cast: Marion Cotillard, Marc-Andre Grondin, Jean Rochefort, Philippe Katerine, Bouli Lanners, Olivier Gourmet
Directors: Franck Ekinci, Christian Desmares
Screenwriters: Franck Ekinci, Benjamin Legrand
Producers: Marc Jousset, Brice Garnier, Franck Ekinci, Michel Dutheil
Graphic creator: Tardi
Artistic directors: Luciano Lepinay, Christian Desmares
Animators: Patrick Imbert, Nicola Lemay, Nicolas Debray
Editor: Nazim Meslem
Composer: Valentin Hadjadj
International sales: StudioCanal
“A surreal science fiction period piece that reimagines mid-20th century Paris as a smog-filled, steam-powered Napoleonic empire whose future lies in the hands of an orphaned young woman.”
©Jacques Tardi & StudioCanal
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http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/april-extraordinary-world-avril-le-806769