Azur and Asmar
Directed by Michael Ocelot
Spain/Italy/France, 99 minutes, in English
Animation/Family Friendly
SUN APR 19, 3:15pm; SAT APR 25, 12:00pm
Film Hosted by Jeff Hart & Barbara Wigginton
This visually vibrant creation from Michel Ocelot tells the adventurous story of Azur and Asmar, two boys nursed by the same woman and raised as brothers. Blonde, blue-eyed Azur and brown-eyed, dark-skinned Asmar are lovingly cared for by Asmar's gentle mother, who tells them magical stories of her faraway homeland and of the beguiling, imprisoned Djinn Fairy waiting to be set free. As the boys grow older, Azur's father, the master of the house, provokes a brutal separation, sending Azur away to study and casting Asmar and his mother out. Years later, Azur remains haunted by memories of the sunny land of his nurturing nanny and sets sail south across the high seas to find the beautiful and mysterious country of his dreams. Here, he embarks on a quest to the medieval Maghreb in hopes of freeing the Djinn Fairy of his childhood fantasies. It is a gorgeous and vividly told tale of acceptance and wonder.
Selected Filmography: Kirikou and the Wild Beast (05), Princes and Princesses (00), Kirikou and the Sorceress (98)
Awards: Munich Film Festival's Kids Audience Award
