Press
THE SECRET OF KELLS
Animated Feature
ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINATION!!
Press information: Gerry Lundberg PR Tel: +353 (0)1 679 8476 / + 353 (0)87 259 1070 / + 353 (0)86 259 1070
Click here for Press Release Academy Award® Nomination
Click here for Press Release US Release of The Secret of Kells
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Click here for full list of awards
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Pictures left to right: Tomm Moore Director, Irish Crew, Ross Stewart Art Director in Cartoon Saloon, Evan McGuire voice of Brendan, Cristen Mooney voice of Aisling, Ross Stewart Art Director, Nora Twomey Co- director, Paul Young Producer.
Press Extracts:
“A tour-de-force!”
“Absolutely luscious to behold!”
- Variety
“Stunning! A cascade of light, color and wonder burst from the screen!”
- The Irish Times
“Holds the spectator in a waking dream from beginning to end!”
- Le Monde
“Absolutely brilliant animation!
You want to keep stopping the film to admire the many elaborate layers that nearly every frame is loaded with. Children will certainly enjoy the film, but the rich visuals are an adult’s reward.”
- Ain’t It Cool News
“A gorgeously realized fable about the power of imagination and art to thrive even in the most hostile times! Immediately establishes Moore as an absolute master of his craft - a story teller and visual artist who deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as masters such as Michel Ocelot and Sylvain Chomet.”
- Twitch
“A marvelous display of creativity in animation, both in terms of compelling visuals and articulate storytelling.”
- Animation Insider
“Visually ravishing and doused in Celtic magic! Captivatingly original!”
- Screen Daily
“Pure magic! The Secret of Kells leaves you stunned by its originality, audacity and pure artistry!”
- Newsarama
THE SECRET IS OUT AS AWARD-WINNING IRISH FILM MAKES ITS DVD DEBUT!
Critically acclaimed film ‘The Secret of Kells’ released on DVD
Irish Independent - “ambitious and classy animation … a real and rare pleasure” ****
Irish Times - “an entity of considerable beauty and originality…..Stunning! A cascade of light, colour and wonder burst from the screen” ***
Families will soon be able to bring a true Irish adventure in to their own home as The Secret of Kells, is released for the first time on DVD on August 7th.
Based on the origins of Ireland’s most famous illustrated manuscript, The Book of Kells, the film is an animated escapade created by award-winning Irish studio, Cartoon Saloon.
Featuring a host of home-grown talent, from director Tomm Moore to acting legend Brendan Gleeson (Harry Potter, In Bruges, The General) and the much-loved Mick Lally (Alexander, Circle of Friends), It also introduces young Irish stars of the future, Evan McGuire and Christen Mooney.
The film has won acclaim across the world including the 2009 Audience Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the first animated film ever to do so, and the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland, Directors Series Award 2008 in association with the Directors Guild of America.
It also garnered the Audience award at the 20009 Annecy film festival, part of the 33rd Annecy Animation festival, and was named best Irish film at the 2009 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival.
The film combines stunning artwork influenced by Irish medieval illustrations with a sound track composed by award winning French composer Bruno Coulais (Coraline), as well as a special collaboration with and songs by Irish super group Kíla.
The release will also feature a host of exciting bonus material including a behind the scenes look at the making of the film, commentary from Tomm Moore and exclusive picture galleries.
The Secret of Kells follows twelve year old Brendan (Evan McGuire), a mischievous monk who lives with his uncle, Abbot Cellach (Brendan Gleeson). Brendan’s life is changed forever with the arrival of Brother Aiden (Mick Lally), a celebrated master illuminator who awakens Brendan’s hidden talent for illumination. With the terrifying Viking hordes closing in, the future of the precious Book of Kells is in jeopardy and it falls to Brendan to save the day.
Cartoon Saloon is a multi-award winning animation and illustration design studio based in Kilkenny. The company was started in 1999 by Tomm Moore and Paul Young and has produced programming for 120 countries worldwide.
As educating as it is entertaining, this fantasy family adventure will enthral viewers of all ages with its release on August 7th.
~ Ends ~
Product information
Title: The Secret of Kells
Release date: 7th August
Running time: 79 minutes
Certificate: Republic of Ireland: PG
Northern Ireland: U
Director: Tomm Moore
DVD bonus features
Director’s commentary - Tomm Moore gives an in-depth insight into The Secret of Kells
Behind The Scenes - an exclusive peek behind the scenes at the Cartoon Saloon
Extended scenes - viewers can see even more of the magic with these extra sequences
Trailer - a taster of the adventure to come
Galleries - a chance to view the beautiful artwork from the film
Notes to Editors
For more information, visit the film website at www.thesecretofkells.com
For further images and release details please log onto www.image.net or contact:
Press: Patrick Reed at Consolidated, 22 Endell Street, London, WC2H 9AD. Tel: 020 7781 2300 or patrickr@consolidatedpr.com
The Secret of Kells wins prestigious Audience award at the Annecy Festival of Animation.
Tomm Moore Director of Cartoon Saloon’s The Secret of Kells accepted the prestigious audience award for best Feature film at the 33rd Annecy Animation festival in France last Saturday June 13th. Moore received his Crystal award from Jean-Pierre Jeunet, director of Amelie and Alien 4.
The festival, one of the most respected events for animation film in the world, screened 525 films including 27 feature films over a week. With over 120,000 tickets sold it is one of the largest film festivals in Europe.
Henry Selicks’s feature Caroline and Adam Elliots film Mary and Max shared the Jury prize for best feature, with the audience choice going to The Secret of Kells.
Tomm Moore was not the only Kilkenny native to be honoured on the night. David O’Reilly, who trained in Cartoon Saloon while a student and also from Kilkenny received the Sepcial distinction award for his film Please say something, a film which won him a Golden Bear at the Berlin festival earlier this year.
The secret of Kells was produced by Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Les Armateurs (France) and Vivi film (Belgium)
Director: Tomm Moore
Co_Director: Nora Twomey
Art director: Ross Stewart
Producers: Paul Young, Didier Brunner and Vivian VanFleteren
Main Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Mick Lally, Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney
Links…..
http://www.annecy.org/home/index.php?Page_ID=2
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1470001197.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 http://www.annecy.org/ressources/others/940_palmares_Annecy09.pdf
THE SECRET OF KELLS NAMED BEST IRISH FILM
BY THE DUBLIN FILM CRITICS CIRCLEHailed by Screen Daily as “certain to draw fans… VISUALLY RAVISHING… MAGIC,” Cartoon Saloon’s THE SECRET OF KELLS has been named Best Irish Film by the Dublin Film Critics Circle at the 2009 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival.
Described by the DFCC as “a lavish animation” THE SECRET OF KELLS is a powerful, moving, and humorous tale of the adventure, action and danger that await twelve-year-old Brendan, who must fight Vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary Book of Kells. Brendan must overcome his deepest fears on a secret quest that will take him—for the first time ever—beyond the abbeys walls into the enchanted forest where dangerous mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young white wolf/girl, who will become his closest friend and helper. With the terrifying Viking Hordes closing in, will Brendan succeed in his quest to illuminate the darkness and prove that enlightenment is the best fortification against barbarians?
The DFCC announced the prizes on Friday, February 20 at the Irish Film Institute in a discussion hosted by Dave Fanning that included John Maguire (Sunday Business Post), George Byrne (Evening Herald), Donald Clarke (The Irish Times), Paul Lynch (Sunday Tribune) and DFCC President Tara Brady (Hot Press).
In wide release on March 6, THE SECRET OF KELLS is already garnering International critical acclaim in the French press, with Télérama calling it “a true revelation,” Première praising its “visual richness” as “splendid…marvelous!” and L’Express calling the film “a festival for the eyes.”
THE SECRET OF KELLS introduces the illuminated animation of the award-winning director Tomm Moore and is produced by the acclaimed producers of SKUNK FU. The film features original music by the Academy Award nominated Bruno Coulais and Kíla.
As well as this wonderful critical acclaim, THE SECRET OF KELLS received a standing ovation from almost 800 members of the public when it had the honour of closing the 2009 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival. The Gala premiere was attending by key cast including Brendan Gleeson, Mick Lally, Evan McGuire, and Christen Mooney, Director Tomm Moore, Producer Paul Young, and KILA. Also in attendance were key invited guests including actresses Saoirse Ronan and Sarah Bolger and writer Irvine Welsh.
THE SECRET OF KELLS releases in Irish cinemas on March 6th
Cert: PG
Running Time: 79 minsFor further press information on the Irish release of the film please contact
Ruth Bradley on 01 8883622 or ruth.bradley@disney.com
Pressroom and Images are available on www.image.net
SOME QUOTES…
“Director Tomm Moore and his talented team deliver an entity of considerable beauty and originality”. Donald Clarke, Irish Times
“Certain to draw fans… Visually ravishing … magic” Lee Marshall, Screen International
“The film is quite simply astounding, a tour de force. Aglow with beguiling colour, and replete with an enthralling, deceptively simple narrative, it is guaranteed to fascinate children and adults alike.” Padraic Killeen, Irish Examiner”
“This is a beautiful, unique project …. in addition to attractive characters and lush designs derived from the precious manuscript of the title, this is a pleasingly jingoistic reminder of a time when Ireland saved civilisation.” Hot Press, 4* review
“I loved The Secret of Kells….. it’s one of the most visually arresting animations I’ve seen, every frame is a work of art. That coupled with a perfect soundtrack and a back-drop of Irish folklore, it’s impossible not to love it.” Vincent Donnelly, Movies Plus Magazine and Movies.ie Michael Dohery, The RTE Guide
“The Secret of Kells is a painstaking and lovingly crafted animated feature”. Herald.ie”A Kell of a Movie…” News of the World
“The film combines the visual beauty of Celtic typography with the humour of Belleville Rendezvous and the charm of Miyazaki’s Spirited Away.”
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