An artistic new animated drama is in the works at French studio Miyu Productions in Ogresse, described as a “wry and irreverent fairytale” as well as a “murder ballad set to a jazz tempo,” inspired by a narrative piece performed by three-time Grammy winner Cécile McLorin Salvant.
The film’s story follows an outcast ogress who is shunned for her physical difference, pursued through the forest by a young hunter determined to claim her heart in love — or combat.
Acclaimed American jazz singer McLorin Salvant, who was awarded a Macarthur Genius Grant in 2020, will co-direct the feature project with Belgian animator Lia Bertels (Tiny Big, Nuit Chérie, And Yet We’re Not Superheroes).
“Ogresse is a love story inspired by my own experiences. It explores self-love and beauty ideals with a brave, complex, sometimes cruel and always endearing heroine. It will be an eclectic, dense, rich and genderless film that will poke fun at racist traditions in animation,” McLorin Salvant told Variety.
Bertels added, “As soon as I heard the live recording, I knew we had to bring the Ogress to life. I’m excited to make my feature debut with a project that explores themes of ecology, prejudice, gender and love from a fresh point of view while trying to break the conventions of the films that shaped us.”
A “sketch” preview of the project set to excerpts from a live recording of McLorin Salvant’s piece was shared in 2020.
[Sources: Variety, SFJAZZ]
