GKIDS has picked up the North American rights to Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, the animated passion project of actress Salma Hayek-Pinault based on the classic book by the acclaimed Lebanese author. The film was an official selection at Cannes, made its North American premiere in Toronto, and will receive a summer release this year from GKIDS.
The Prophet comprises a narrative story written and directed by Roger Allers (The Lion King), with individual “chapters” based on Gibran’s poems that were designed and animated by internationally celebrated animation directors, including Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea), Joan Gratz (Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase), Bill Plympton (Guard Dog, Your Face), Nina Paley (Sita Sings the Blues), Joann Sfar (The Rabbi’s Cat), Paul & Gaetan Brizzi (Fantasia 2000), Michal Socha (Chick) and Mohammed Harib (Freej).
The voice cast features Liam Neeson, Salma Hayek-Pinault, Quvenzhane Wallis, John Krasinski, Frank Langella and Alfred Molina. The film is scored by Oscar winner Gabriel Yared (The English Patient), with additional music by Damien Rice, Glenn Hansard and Lisa Hannigan and performances by cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
