Theatrical release expands to more North American cities on heels of nomination, with home video release date to be announced shortly.
Brazil received its first ever Oscar nomination in the Animated Feature category with director Alê Abreu’s Boy and the World. Following the January 14th Academy Award nomination, Boy and the World experienced a groundswell of support from the Brazilian people as well as the attention of local celebrities, politicians, and support from Brazilian government and non-government agencies Ancine, SPCINE, APEX, BNDEs, Finep, BTVP and Cinema do Brasil.
A breathtakingly original and vibrant cinematic experience that depicts the wonders and struggles of the modern world as seen through the eyes of a young boy, Boy and the World follows Cuca, whose cozy rural life is shattered when his father leaves for the city, prompting him to embark on a quest to reunite his family. The young boy’s journey unfolds like a tapestry, the animation taking on greater complexity as his small world expands. Entering civilization, industrial landscapes are inhabited by animal-machines, with barrios of decoupage streets and shop windows, and flashing neon advertisements that illuminate the night. The story depicts a clash between village and city, hand crafted and mechanized, rich and poor – and throughout the tumult, the heart and soul of the people beats on as a song. The film’s music produced by Ruben Feffer and Gustavo Kurlat is on equal footing with the stunning visuals, a soundscape of pan-flute, samba, and Brazilian hip-hop mixing with the whirling carnival colors and exploding fireworks.
Distributed in the U.S. and Canada by GKIDS, Boy and the World had its awards qualifying run last December and has since been released theatrically to widespread critical acclaim, with IndieWire calling it “the best animated film of the year… a dazzling masterpiece,” the Village Voice calling it “masterful… a marvel of visual storytelling,” The New York Times calling it, “a colorful and stirring animated adventure,” and The Hollywood Reporter calling it “a vibrant animated vision.” The film is currently 96 percent Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
ELO Company represents the film’s international sales and strategy and has sold the film to more than 90 territories worldwide, with sales in many more territories pending. Several territories have re-released the film theatrically following the nomination, including the film’s home country of Brazil.
“After ten years working with Brazilian content abroad, this is an amazing recognition of our efforts,” said ELO CEO and co-founder Sabrina Nudeliman Wagon. “We have always believed in BOY AND THE WORLD’s potential, and have invested in its international strategy since 2013.”
The film was a huge success on the international film festival circuit and has taken home more than 40 festival prizes to date. Most of the territories were already sold before the nomination.
“The incredible response to this film has been so heart-warming and gratifying,” said GKIDS founder and CEO Eric Beckman. “We are thrilled to be celebrating with the Brazilian team in Los Angeles this weekend, and to have been able to play a part in bringing Alê Abreu’s visionary work the attention it so strongly deserves.”
While Boy and the World has experienced strong Brazilian agency support throughout its production and release, following the Oscar nomination, the entire country has rallied behind the film. The filmmakers even started a successful grassroots Kickstarter campaign to send the team to Los Angeles for the 88th annual Academy Awards.
Not only the people of Brazil, but also the President has shown her support, with Abreu hosting a private showing of the film with Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff. “Congratulations to the director Alê Abreu and to the team for the excellent work and for the achievement with the nomination,” the President said.
Tune in to the Academy Awards on Sunday, February 28 to watch Boy and the World compete against fellow GKIDS nominee When Marnie Was There, as well as Anomalisa, Inside Out and Shaun the Sheep Movie, for the Best Animated Feature award.
Source: GKIDS
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
