Irish academy award nominated director Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells) walked the red carpet in Cannes this weekend for the World Premiere of animated film 'The Prophet', on which he was one of the directors.
Inspired by the classic book of poetry by Kahlil Gibran, 'The Prophet' is produced by and stars the voice of the Academy Award nominated actress Selma Hayek (Frida). The film is a richly-animated tale of an unlikely friendship between a young, mischievous girl and an imprisoned poet. Interwoven with Gibran's lyrical and inspiring meditations on the true nature of love, work, freedom and marriage, the film is written and directed by Roger Allers, with stunning "chapters" from a host of award-winning directors including Moore.
Moore worked alongside other international renowned artists Michal Socha, Joan Gratz, Nina Paley, Joann Sfar, Bill Plympton, Mohammed Saeed Harib and Paul and Gaetan Brizzi all of whom directed a segment of the film. The film was financed by the Doha Film Institute, Participant Media, MyGroup Lebanon, FFA Private Bank, Financiere Pinault and Code Red Prods. Wild Bunch is handling international sales at Cannes.
Commenting on the film, director Moore said “All of the team at Cartoon Saloon loved collaborating on this film with an amazing team of international animation legends. I directed the poem 'On Love', and Glen Hansard and Lisa Hannigan worked with us providing a gorgeous piece of music for the film. Selma Hayek brought this project to life and she has helped to highlight the art of animation internationally through this beautiful film.”
The film also features the voices of Irish actor Liam Neeson, along with Salma Hayek-Pinault, John Krasinski, Frank Langella, Alfred Molina and Quvenzhané Wallis.
Moore’s next Irish animated feature 'Song of the Sea' produced by Cartoon Saloon featuring music from Kila, with funding from the Irish Film Board is currently selling in the Cannes film market and is expected to have its world premiere later this year.
Irish films in the festival include Ken Loach’s ‘Jimmy’s Hall’ and John Boorman’s ‘Queen and Country’. Irish films selling in the Cannes market include ‘Standby’, starring Brian Gleeson (Love/Hate, The Stag) and Jessica Paré (Mad Men, Jack & Bobby); ‘The Canal’, starring Antonia Campbell Hughes (Kelly & Victor, Albert Nobbs), which recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and sold in the US; the award winning horror film ‘Let Us Prey’ starring Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones, The Wind That Shakes the Barley); and Lenny Abrahamson’s ‘Frank’, which is currently on release in Ireland.
