The Annecy Jury Prize-winning animated feature Four Souls of Coyote has been picked as the official entry for Hungry in the International Oscar category this year. The 2D/CG-animated feature, which is directed by Áron Gauder and produced by Réka Temple’s (Cinemon Entertainment), is inspired by Native American creation myths, while exploring timely modern day issues such as climate crisis and indigenous population’s battle against oil pipelines. It centers on a a group of Native American teenagers that confront an oil pipeline project. The voice cast including Lorne Cardinal, Diontae Black, Danny Kramer and Stephanie Novak.
Four Souls of Coyote received solid reviews when it premiered at Annecy in the main competition last June. It received the Jury Award at the festival and also won Shanghai Festival’s Best Animated Film, Arizona fest’s Special Prize and L.A.’s New Media Film Festival’s Grand Prix. Wild Bunch’s Gebeka International is handling world sales. No U.S. release date has been announced to date.
“We wanted to show the aspects of creation and existence that are less known to Europeans,” said Gauder, who also directed the acclaimed 2004 feature Nyocker and the 2015 short Coyote and the Rock. “ “The film warns that man is a fallible creature who has responsibility for other creatures too. We cannot consume limitlessly, we must also keep our desires in check because if we do not, then the created world will be at risk of destruction.”
Temple added: “Having conducted profound research, we felt the responsibility to indigenous culture and wanted every bit of the film remain authentic and reflect our respect. The film’s message aims to be as inclusive as possible, inviting all of creation into the circle of dialogue, of cooperation. We know that our film is a statement, not in any way an attack on any government policy it is much more an ode to nature and to the wisdom of tribal people.”
You can read our interview with the filmmakers here:
Watch the trailer below
Source: Deadline, Screen Daily
