The Secret of Kells

The Common Room Other Animation
#1

Came across this a few months ago, only for my interest to be renewed again from finding out it’s actually complete.
It’s a Irish/French/Belgian co production, no word on a US release yet, though Disney has picked up distribution rights, but I’m definitely excited for it. Just a really nice visual style for a 2D animated film.

Production blog: theblogofkells.blogspot.com/

A few trailers:
youtube.com/watch?v=DNjWGoxc … annel_page
youtube.com/watch?v=MTPAvY4y … annel_page
youtube.com/watch?v=S-x1e-5k … re=related

#2

Maybe they will have a US release. Looks really cool.

#3

Wow… I’m amazed. :open_mouth: I don’t quite know what to think of this… it’s beautiful and kinda weird at the same time… watching the trailers sent shivers down my spine. I have not much ideas of Celtic/Viking lore, so I wouldn’t get the cultural references, but boy, does this look good!
I hope this gets a theatrical or at least a DVD release here… I want to go to Ireland! :smiley:

#4

The movie was actually screened at Pixar a few months ago, gaining lots of applause afterwards.

#5

Oh cool, FigmentJedi. Big stamp of approval for me! :slight_smile:

#6

Well, Kells recently had it’s US premiere in New York and it’s apparently to get it’s wide release sometime in 2010.

Teaser for Cartoon Saloon’s next movie project, Song of the Sea, which will focus on the legendary Selkies, is up youtube.com/watch?v=Y2aDh05n … re=channel
Cartoon Saloon’s channel also has a ton of Kells clips as well.

#7

Just saw this movie today. It completely blew me away, it was so beautiful. I honestly think it should get the Best Animated Feature Oscar instead of Up, so that it gets the attention that it deserves. Every single scene had such amazing detail and the art style was amazing as well as the character designs. The story was also very interesting and well paced. If you ever have the chance, you’ve got to see this movie.

#8

That’s a huge accolade. :open_mouth: Now you’ve really got me curious about this movie. Too bad it didn’t get a theatrical release here. Might have to look for the DVD.

#9

I saw it today via non-legal means. :blush:
Overall, it’s an awesome film, though I was a little underwhelmed by the ending. I think liked it more than UP, but not as much as Coraline.

#10

It’s okay. It happens when chances are pretty slim for seeing it legitimately. I mean, I watched it months ago when it first came online and either way, it’d be something I’d pay for when I get a chance.

I’m just wondering the scale of that limited theatrical release Kells is getting. Like “only in big cities limited” or “MIyazaki movie limited”

#11

The first I saw of this was on the Oscars last night, man that music is great, and the animation looks interesting, I spend a fair amount of time in Ireland so I might have to check this out…

#12

From what I’m hearing on Facebook, it seems like the former. :frowning:

#13

Fresh from Blog of Kells, here’s some confirmed release dates

#14

I love Ireland and Irish history, so I was super excited to hear about this film! On my student tour of Ireland two years ago we learned all about Irish/Viking Relations. I loved the trailers, the animation and music were lovely. I haven’t been able to see it, it was in San Francisco a while ago, but I couldn’t get down there to see it. I do want to see it sometime though!

#15

I saw it at the Embarcadero in San Francisco a month or so ago. It was a very well-done film; the animation was strikingly brilliant, and the story was good for its short hour and fifteen minutes running time. I believe it definitely deserved the fifth “Best Animated Feature” spot, but then again, I’m glad Up won over it (better story, etc).

This movie is definitely worth watching, at least once.

#16

An opinion, personally Up kind of feels like it would be much better as a short film, the plot was far too stretched. I loved Carl/Ellie and Russell was okay, but I’m not sure what else I can say (such as the negatives) which won’t get me dogpiled. :stuck_out_tongue: Besides this thread isn’t about Up.

Personally from what I’ve heard quite a few people thought this movie was better and deserved the oscar more, I’m have to see it myself however before gathering a full opinion though.

#17

Those are probably the people who always think “Indie films are always better than big-budget films no matter what”; which, of course, is not true. I just enjoyed Up more than SoK, though the latter was still a very great movie.

#18

Bit of a generalisation don’t you think Basil? Please don’t paint people with the same brush for simply having a different opinion on which movie is better.

Perhaps they genuinely saw this movie as better for themselves. (Terms of story etc.)

#19

The problem with Up winning was that in being nominated for Best Picture as well, it basically just became Second Prize and killed any chances for the other, equally great movies, to win.

#20

Finally found this thread. Actually just watched this movie now on dvd! I did get some tears in my eyes it’s a very excellent film- I can definitly understand people saying it should have won the Academy Award that year instead of Up (and I personally agree.) It was very touching in many ways especially regarding the abbot and Brendan, [spoil]each thinking the other had died[/spoil] and it was rather bittersweet at the end “[spoil]The most important treasure” being Brendan[/spoil]. (That sort of broke me a little too). The abbot was incredibly interesting overall especially. Only critique is obviously it simplified vikings to monsters but then that sort of fits with how history was painted by christians at the time (as in of course not being completely objective with regards their invaders at all for obvious reasons- and they wrote while vikings had more oral history). But the viking scenes were also dark and terrifying and really added to it. Excellent movie here and if you haven’t seen it I recommend it.

(Coming from an atheist here so… :stuck_out_tongue:)