Among the several animated features making a big impression at the Berlin Film Festival this month (Feb 16-26) is A Greyhound of a Girl, which is based on a novel by acclaimed Irish writer Roddy Doyle (The Commitments, The Snapper, The Van). Directed by veteran Italian director Enzo D’Alo (Pinocchio, Lucky and Zorba), the film centers on an 11-year-old Dublin girl who shares a pivotal car journey with her mother and her ailing grandmother.
The film’s impressive Irish voice cast includes Oscar-nominee Brendan Gleeson, Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters, Catastrophe), Rosaleen Linehan and Charlene McKenna (Peaky Blinders, Bloodlands). The film’s script was written by Dave Ingham and d’Alò.The main theme of the book is delicate and difficult to describe, as it deals with loss,” says D’Alò. “At first, the idea of tackling the notion of loss bewildered me a little. But then the strength of the main characters pushed him “To carry on with this beautiful family story, where four generations of women entertain a dialogue between past and present, and the personality of each of them acquires more value and weight as the deep bond that unites them unravels,” he adds. “I wanted to depict the project’s ‘circle of life’ with sincerity.”
Here is the official synopsis:
“Eleven year old Mary has an insatiable passion for cooking, and dreams of become a great chef. Her grandmother Emer, with whom she has a very special relationship, encourages her to make this dream come true. But every path has its obstacles, and facing them turns into quite an adventure. In this delicate coming-of-age story, filled with joy and laughter, we join four generations of women as they head off on a glorious journey together. One that takes them down memory lane and gives them the opportunity to learn about each other, truly & deeply.”
Peter De Seve (Ice Age, Finding Nemo) is behind the film’s memorable character designs. Greyhound of a Girl is produced by Paul Thiltges Distribution, Aliante, Jam Media, Rija Films, Amrion Production and Fish Blowing Bubbles, with the support of Film Fund Luxembourg, Eurimages, the Italian Culture Ministry, Screen Ireland, the Estonian Film Institute, the Campania Region and the Tuscany Film Commission. GFM Animation is in charge of international sales.
You can watch the new trailer below:
For more info, visit gfmanimation.com/films/a-greyhound-of-a-girl/
Sources: Berlinale, Variety, Cine Europa
