The Snow Queen producer Timur Bekmambetov has inked a deal with Yeni Dusler Animation, a toon house serving national public broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, to bring his animated feature passion project to screens: an adaptation of the adventures of Muslim folk hero Nasreddin. The English-language project, marking the L.A.-based Russian-Kazakh filmmaker’s animation directorial debut, is due for release in 2024.
A popular character throughout the Middle East, Balkans and Asia, Nasreddin (also known as Aldar Kose in Kazakhstan, Hodja in Turkey, Joha in Arab countries and Afanti in China) is a an idiosyncratic sort of hero, a travelling philosopher and trickster known for using his quick wit and sense of humor to escape the strange situations he gets himself into. His comical quips and important life lessons have been shared in folktales and satirical anecdotes going back to the 13th century.
Bekmambetov’s prodco Bazalevs had previously secured support from Uzbekistan’s National Cinematographic Agency and Kazakhstan org Kazakhfilm. The director anticipates additional partners from China and Arab countries to join the production for the project, which will be designed to expand to an animated series, graphic novel and VR experience.
Bazalevs has committed to opening an animation school in each co-producing country to train professional actors as animation designers. The first school has opened in Uzbekistan, where its inaugural graduating class of 30 is now working on the Nasreddin movie.
Bekmambetov is known for directing the English-language live-action pictures such as the Berlinale selected Profile (2018), Angelina Jolie actioner Wanted (2008) and the big screen adaptation of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which he produced with Tim Burton and Jim Lemley. He is also behind the hit Russian comedy franchise Yolki (eight films since 2010) and the vampire breakouts Night Watch (2004) and Day Watch (2006).
Animation audiences will also recognize his name as a producer on Shane Acker’s 2009 CGI indie 9, Riki Group’s Kikoriki: Team Invincible (2011) and Wizart’s fairytale adventures The Snow Queen (2012) and The Snow Queen 2: The Snow King (2015).
[Source: Deadline]
