Azur and Asmar - finally for real

[Der Müde Tod]

After Warner Canada screwed up and released Ocelot's Azur and Asmar in Canada without english subtitles, Soda Pop is releasing it in the UK (according to Amazon) on July 28. Good news for everybody with cinophile little ones (or with a young heart).

[Der Müde Tod]

I have finally watched the film, and its is one of the best DVDs this year so far for me.

Azur and Asmar is the story of white, blue-eyed Azur and dark skinned, dark-eyed Asmar. Asmar's mother also raises Azur as nanny, and they
listen to the same stories.

They are being separated, but after growing up, both decide to free the Jinn Fairie, as suggested by one of the fairy tales of their childhood.

The problems begin when Azur lands in an Arabian land to begin his quest, but the superstitious inhabitants believe that blue eyes mean bad
luck.

The story becomes a fable about prejudices, and how to overcome them.

Two details make the film very different from other animated tales.

Firstly, about one half of the film is spoken in Arabic, without translation of any kind. However, because there is almost always a pairing between something said in English (or, originally, in French), and contrasting staments in Arabic, one can usually guess the meaning of what's
spoken. My 7 year old daughter had no difficulties with this.

Secondly, the film is a visual feast. Strongly influenced by Muslim decorative art, it is a wondrous estrangement for the uninitiated western spectator.

[Awesome Welles]

How does it compare with Kirikou? I am looking after my nephew (6) soon and he loved Kirikou, I was thinking of picking this up as I like Ocelot's animation style and his ability to tell a simple story so effectively, which makes for such a great children's film.

[Der Müde Tod]

How does it compare with Kirikou? I am looking after my nephew (6) soon and he loved Kirikou, I was thinking of picking this up as I like Ocelot's animation style and his ability to tell a simple story so effectively, which makes for such a great children's film.

I would say it's more complex than Kirikou, because there are more individual characters involved. The use of Arabic might be problematic, and I am still baffled how elegantly Ocelot incorporates it. Often, there are dialogue snippets where one person speaks English (or optional French) and the other Arabic, so one gets the idea what is meant without really knowing what was said, because the two people talking are known to understand each other.

My daughter (7) wanted to watch it a second time right away, which typically means she was captivated but didn't get everything.

[Awesome Welles]

Thanks for your comments. I reckon he might like it, so perhaps I will rent it. He was bold enough to watch Kirikou and the Wild Beasts with Italian audio and no subtitles and he enjoyed that aparently!

[davebert]

Hope this won't be considered spamming, but for any US-based folks looking for a chance to catch this film on the big screen, I've got it in 30-40 cities around the country between now and March 09 (when the Weinstein DVD drops).

As a very very small indie distributor whose initial box office is err... not so good... it would be a big help if we could spread the word to any and all who might be interested. It's the English language version (with Arabic left undubbed and unsubtitled, as in the original), same as Soda's UK cut. I've been lucky enough to get great reviews on it everywhere except Salt Lake City, so hopefully it won't be too hard a sell!


AZUR & ASMAR NATIONWIDE TOUR

DATES AND LOCATIONS


October 17 - Nov 4: New York, NY - IFC Center
November 27 - Dec 3: Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Heights Cinema
November 29: New York, NY - Symphony Space
December 5 - 11: Rhinebeck, NY - Upstate Films
December 12 - 26: Portland, OR - Living Room Theaters
December 12 - 18: Salt Lake City, UT - Tower Theatre
December 12 - 18: Tempe, AZ - Valley Art Theatre
December 12 - 18: Washington D.C. - E Street Cinema
December 19 - 21: Wilmington, DE - Theatre N at Nemours
December 19 - 26: Lake Worth, FL - Lake Worth Playhouse
December 20 - 31: Montpelier, VT - The Savoy Theater
December 25 - Jan 8: Key West, FL - Tropic Cinema
December 26 - Jan 2: Santa Fe, NM - Center for Contemporary Arts
December 26 - Jan 2: Athens, GA - Athens Ciné
December 29 - Jan 4: Gloucester, MA - Cape Ann Community Cinema
January 2, 4: Cleveland, OH - Cleveland Cinematheque
January 9 - 15: Seattle, WA - SIFF Cinema
January 10 - 11: Columbus, OH - Wexner Center for the Arts
January 16 - 17: Bellingham, WA - Pickford Film Center
January 16 - 23: Olympia, WA - Capitol Theater
January 16 - 22: Muskegon, MI - Harbor Theater
January 17-19, 24-25: Pleasantville, NY - Jacob Burns Film Center
January 19: San Joaquin, CA - San Joaquin Children's Film Festival
January 23 - 29: Denver, CO - Starz Denver Film Center
January 30 - Feb 5: Tucson, AZ - The Loft Cinema
February 6 - 12: Pittsburgh, PA - Regent Square Theater
February 13 - 19: Philadelphia, PA - Ritz at the Bourse
February 13 - 19: San Diego, CA - Ken Cinema
February 15 - 26: Boston, MA - Museum of Fine Arts
February 20 - 26: Minneapolis, MN - Landmark Theaters
February 21: Phoenixville, PA - Colonial Theater
February 27 - Mar 5: Atlanta, GA - Midtown Art Cinema
February 27 - Mar 5: St. Louis, MO - Tivoli Theater

[LQ]

I just was at Theatre N last night and saw the trailer for it; I'll try and bring the younger members of my family along to see it next weekend.
Trailer