GKIDS will release the French psychedelic fantasy Sirocco and the Kingdom of Winds in theaters nationwide for two nights only next month: on August 11 in an all new English-language dub, and on August 12 in its original French language with English subtitles. Directed by Benoît Chieux, the film held its world premiere as the opening night feature of the 2023 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, winning the Audience Award, and made its U.S. debut at the 2023 Animation Is Film festival.
A new trailer was released with the announcement, as well as the English-language voice cast.
The film marks Chieux’s solo animated feature directing debut. He previously co-directed Aunt Hilda! (2013), and is a two-time César Award nominee (Midnight’s Garden, Tigers Tied Up in One Rope). Chieux also served as the screenwriter for 2008’s European Film Award-winning Mia and the Migoo, which was one of the earliest titles distributed by GKIDS.
Synopsis: One day, the adventurous Juliette and her sister Carmen find an enchanted toy and get swept away into the Kingdom of the Winds. They are transformed into cats and find themselves in a fantastical new world full of flying divas, technicolor dragons, and other mind-melting creations. When Juliette causes an accident that draws the ire of the local inhabitants, the Mayor gives Juliette to the beautiful songstress Selma and sentences Carmen to marry his son as punishment. The sisters must find a way to escape before the wedding bells ring, but the key to their journey home lies with Sirocco, the mysterious wizard feared for his ferocious storms.
A psychedelic fairy tale years in the making comes from the imagination of director Benoît Chieux. With captivating creatures and a vibrant Seussian world, Sirocco and the Kingdom of Winds is a kaleidoscopic fantasy adventure bursting with charm and wonder.
English-language cast:
- Briauna James as Agnès
- Tallula Dinsmore as Carmen
- Élia St-Pierre as Juliette
- Lucinda Davis as Selma
- Terrence Scammell as Sirocco
- Marcel Jeannin as The Mayor
- Wyatt Bowen as The Mayor’s Son
- Bruce Dinsmore as The Toy
Tickets are on sale now at sirocco-movie.com.
