Self Promote:BETWEEN FRAMES, THE ART OF BRAZILIAN ANIMATION

BETWEEN FRAMES:  THE ART OF BRAZILIAN ANIMATION

A production by Ideograph.  Directed by Eduardo Calvet. Produced by Felipe Haurelhuk.  Brazil, 2013.
Almost centennial, Brazilian’s animation history brings such rich and exciting characters that its importance spreads all over our lives, and not only in Brazil. Cartoons like ‘Fishtronaut’ and ‘My Big Big Friend’ are beloved by children worldwide, in more than 80 countries. Advertising animations has also built its mark with several prizes through decades. And the amazing stories just go on and on. ‘Between Frames – The Art Of Brazilian Animation’ shows how Brazilian animation was built on the last 97 years, by the hands of their creators. The most memorable pieces of that art and immortal creations of all times were not forgot! Directed by Eduardo Calvet and produced by Felipe Haurelhuk, the movie’s international première in Palm Beach (USA) was just the beginning of a bright trajectory that includes the official selection for the legendary Annecy International Animated Film Festival, in France!
Throughout interviews, all the most important Brazilian animators may be see on the screen. Carlos Saldanha (‘Ice Age 2’ and ‘Rio’) talks about his experience on US since 1990’s. Mauricio de Sousa (‘Monica’s Gang’) explains how he could release movies as popular as Disney’s in Soth America! Andres Lieban (“My Big Big Friend”) and Célia Catunda (‘Fishtronaut’) explore the creation of theirs highly successful TV series. And Marcos Magalhães shows how Anima Mundi was created and became one of the world’s most important animation film festival.
The historical view is also there regarding the first fifty years, with its stories and difficulties. The very first Brazilian animation, for example, was ‘The Kaiser’ (1917), directed by Álvaro Marins. Unfortunately, the lack of preservation made the short movie lost forever. With a single picture of reference from a magazine, eight animators have recreated the movie nowadays! Each one of them used a different technique, which range from traditional 2D cartoons to light-painting. The final result is incredible: a brand new version of ‘The Kaiser’, built by mixed techniques and styles.
Some movies saved from total deterioration are also there: ‘The Adventures of Virgulino’ (1930) is a fine example. It’s director Luiz Sá had the dream of meeting Mr. Walt Disney on his trip to Brazil in 1940’s, but Brazilian federal government haven’t allowed it, so his movie was sold and never recovered until this documentary started to be produced. Only a digital frame-by-frame restoration was able to bring all the beauty of Sa’s work back.
All the strength of regional Brazilian production is there as well, like Chico Liberato’s work from Salvador and the influence of northeast cordel at his movies. Heroic work is the key to describe ‘Amazon Symphony’ (1951), directed by Anélio Latini Filho: the artist draw almost half million frames all by himself to complete the movie. Two decades later, Ypê Nakashima did the same to release the first feature-length animation film in color: ‘Piconzé’ (1971). In 1990’s, in one of the most difficult times for Brazilian cinema after EMBRAFILME closed its operations, the hard work of Otto Guerra to release a movie without any financial support. And Roberto Miller’s abstract work inspired by Norman MacLaren, wich gave us the first important international recognition.
Publicity has never been forgotten. With dozens of prizes since 1970’s, the most important and memorable pieces are registered in the documentary. Rare TV material and archive footage is available, including many award-winning creations. Finally, the production’s new boom, which releases not only for local market, but worldwide. Animation language is global!
Don’t miss this documentary! You’ll probably never have the chance to see Brazilian’s animation history again. This is, for sure, the first and most complete movie to bring all the most important pieces of it together in just 100 minutes of pure excitement and magic revelation. We promise that you’ll never watch Brazilian animation with the same eyes again!