Wednesday 15 July 2015

Meet the star of Oscar nominated animation Song of the Sea.

The movie, which comes out in the UK this week, is based on an Irish folk tale.
It follows the story of a boy called Ben and his little sister who meet selkies, giants and faeries on their adventure.
It was made using traditional drawing techniques, and was nominated for the biggest film awards in the world, the Oscars, earlier this year. (CBBC newsround)


Song of the Sea is a 2014 Irish animated fantasy film by Cartoon Saloon that is directed by Tomm Moore. The traditionally animated film, which began production soon after the release of The Secret of Kells (2009), premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September in the TIFF Kids program The film was nominated for Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards (2015). (in Wikipedia)

Plot

In October of 1981, on an island off the coast of Ireland lives Conor, a lighthouse keeper, his son Ben, his wife Bronagh, who is expecting their second child, and their sheepdog Cú. Bronagh leaves unexpectedly late one night, leaving behind her newborn daughter Saoirse. Six years later, Conor is a depressed alcoholic, Saoirse has yet to utter a single word, and Ben has grown resentful of his sister, associating her with his mother’s disappearance. The family are then visited by Granny for Saoirse's birthday. That night, Ben scares Saorirse with a story of Mac Lir the giant and his mother Macha the Owl Witch, who turned him to stone and stole his feelings. Later that night, Saoirse plays a seashell horn given to Ben by their mother, and it leads her to a white sealskin coat hidden in Conor’s closet. She puts the coat on and is coaxed into the ocean by a group of seals. It is then revealed that she is a beautiful white Selkie. After swimming with the seals, she is found washed up onshore by Granny, who insists upon taking the children back home to the city for their own safety. Conor reluctantly agrees, and throws the chest containing Saoirse's coat and its key into the sea.

The following night on Halloween, Saoirse plays the shell, alerting a group of Faerie creatures to her presence. Ben and Saoirse begin attempting to travel home, but encounter the Faeries who hope that Saoirse will sing the Song of the Sea and allow them and all their brethren to travel home to Tír na nÓg. Unfortunately, they are attacked by Macha's owls, who turn the Faeries to stone. The siblings take a bus into the country, where they run into Cú, who had originally been following them to the city, and come across a sacred well. Unfortunately, without her coat, Saoirse is rapidly growing deathly ill, shown by her hair turning white. She falls into the well, while Ben tries to follow her and meets the Great Seanachai. The Faerie tells Ben his sister has been kidnapped by Macha's owls, and he gives the boy one of his hairs that will lead him to the witch’s house, and in the process sees that the night his mother left, she departed into the sea and left Saoirse with their father, and realizes how unfair he's been to Saoirse all these years. Ben then meets Macha, who is not the villain he imagined. She claims that when her son, Mac Lir, suffered from a broken heart, she took away his suffering, turning him into the small island near Ben's home. She is determined to do the same for everyone, even herself.



Ben manages to rescue Saoirse and the shell’s song releases Macha's feelings back into her, which helps her recognize the gravity of her actions. The witch helps Ben, Saoirse, Cú fly back home with the spirits of Mac Lir's dogs. The children arrive home during a storm, and Conor attempts to take them back to the mainland to get Saoirse to a hospital; at the same time, Granny is on her way to their island in search of her missing grandchildren. Ben dives into the sea in search of Saoirse's coat, which he recovers with help from the seals and his father. The group is then washed up on Mac Lir's island, where Saoirse, reunited with her coat, is restored to health and sings her song. Faerie creatures from across Ireland rise and travel to Mac Lir's island, and Mac Lir himself emerges with Macha and his dogs as they head to Tír na nÓg. Bronagh appears with the sad news that she and Saoirse must depart as well. However, since Saoirse is part human, Bronagh is able to take her coat and leave her behind to live as a human while she departs. After a tearful goodbye, the Faeries depart across the sea, and Ben and his family happily return home to their island, where Granny finally arrives, and decides the children can stay with their father. (in Wikipedia)

     
Song of the Sea
Song of the Sea (2014 film) poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster



Facts File



Directed by
Tomm Moore
Produced by
  • Paul Young
  • Claus Toksvig Kjaer
Written by
Will Collins
Story by
Tomm Moore
Starring
  • David Rawle
  • Brendan Gleeson
  • Fionnula Flanagan
  • Lisa Hannigan
  • Lucy O'Connell
  • Jon Kenny
  • Pat Shortt
  • Colm Ó Snodaigh
  • Liam Hourican
  • Kevin Swierszcz
Music by
  • Bruno Coulais
  • Kíla
Edited by
Darragh Byrne
Production
company
  • Cartoon Saloon
  • Mélusine Productions
    Big Farm
    Super Productions
  • Noerlum Studios
  • Irish Film Board
  • Film Fund Luxembourg
  • Eurimages Fund of the Council of Europe
  • Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
  • Film and Audiovisual Centre of Wallonia Brussels Federation
  • Inver Invest
  • Versus Productions
  • Magellan Films
  • Tax Shelter Programme of the Federal Government of Belgium
  • Belgacom
  • Danish Film Institute
  • West Danish Film Fund
Distributed by
  • StudioCanal (Ireland)
  • O'Brother Distribution(Belgium)
  • Haut et Court (France)
Release dates
  • 6 September 2014 (TIFF)
  • 10 December 2014(France/Belgium/Luxembourg)
  • 19 February 2015 (Denmark)
  • 10 July 2015 (Ireland)
Running time
93 minutes
Country
  • Ireland
  • Belgium
  • Denmark
  • France
  • Luxembourg
Language
English
Box office
$841,122 (US)



18 comments :

  1. I love it when folks come together and share views. Great
    site, keep it up!

    Here is my web-site ... รับทำ seo

    ReplyDelete
  2. This post is invaluable. Where can I find out more?



    Also visit my homepage ... เสื้อโปโล

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from
    this site, and your views are good designed for new viewers.


    Feel free to visit my web site - ชุดราตรียาว

    ReplyDelete
  4. Its like you learn my thoughts! You appear to understand a
    lot approximately this, such as you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you could do with a few % to drive
    the message house a little bit, however other than that, this is fantastic blog.
    A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.


    Also visit my page; CT limousine bus

    ReplyDelete
  5. As the admin of this site is working, no doubt very shortly it will be famous,
    due to its quality contents.

    Feel free to visit my page ... BuckBFelman

    ReplyDelete
  6. I enjoy looking through a post that can make people
    think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!

    My web blog: List Academy Bonus

    ReplyDelete
  7. Maay I simply say what a comfort to discover somsone that genuinely understands
    what they are talking about online. You certainly know how to bring
    a problem to light and make it important. A lot
    more people need to read this and understand this side of your story.
    I can't believe you aren't more popular because you most
    certainly have the gift.

    For an incredible informative reviww please have a look at this page ...

    geniux advanced brain formula (http://yoursgarciniacambogianame.com/)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I'd figured I'd ask.
    Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article
    or vice-versa? My site goes over a lot of the same subjects as yours and
    I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you happen to be interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Terrific blog by
    the way!

    my webpage เรียนภาษาอังกฤษตัวต่อตัว

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am not sure the place you are getting your information, however good topic.

    I needs to spend a while learning more or working out more.
    Thank you for great information I was on the lookout for this information for my mission.

    Look into my weblog - จำนองบ้าน

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
    Extremely useful information particularly the
    last part :) I care for such info much. I was seeking this certain information for a very long time.
    Thank you and good luck.

    Feel free to surf to my page - เสื้อสูทผู้หญิง

    ReplyDelete
  11. whoah this weblog is excellent i really like
    reading your posts. Keep up the great work! You realize, many people are
    searching around for this information, you could help them greatly.


    Here is my web page; เสื้อผ้าแฟชั่น

    ReplyDelete
  12. I feel that is one of the most significant information for me.
    And i am satisfied reading your article. But wanna observation on some normal
    things, The site taste is great, the articles is actually
    nice : D. Good activity, cheers

    Feel free to visit my web page - ชุดราตรีสั้น

    ReplyDelete
  13. Howdy! Thiis post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate!
    He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this write-up to him.
    Fairly certzin hee will have a good read. Thank you for
    sharing!

    For an incredible response please visit this amazing site :
    : aimee age correction cream

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's going to be ending of mine day, except before end I am reading this fantastic article to increase my experience.



    my blog; Power bank สกรีนโลโก้

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great beat ! I wish to apprentice even as you amend your website, how
    can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a
    appropriate deal. I have been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided vivid clear idea

    my blog :: ชุดเดรส

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however , I'd figured I'd ask.
    Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa?
    My website addresses a lot of the same topics as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you might be interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!


    Take a look at my homepage: ชิลเลอร์

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello everyone, it's my first visit at this web site, and piece of writing is really fruitful for me,
    keep up posting these posts.

    Also visit my web-site เสื้อโปโล

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have really loved surfing around
    your weblog posts. After all I will be subscribing for your feed and I
    hope you write once more very soon!

    My page ... quest bars

    ReplyDelete

Leave your comment here. Thank you!