Mavka: The Forest Song had to go through more than the usual struggles to complete an animated feature film. The producers had to do with Putin ordering the Russian army to invade Ukraine. While many of the animators had to flee the country for safety, they did not give up on the movie. They were able to link together online to finish their fairytale. The movie comes to DVD and Digital in August. Here’s the press release from Shout! Factory with all the details:
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| SHOUT! KIDS Presents THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ANIMATED FEATURE MAKES ITS DEBUT IN NORTH AMERICA! MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG |
BRING HOME THIS SPECTACULAR FAIRYTALE MOVIE ADVENTURE
ON AUGUST 15, 2023
Available on Home Entertainment Shelves and Digital Download
| This summer, families are invited to discover the fantastical world of ancient forests and be enchanted by the captivating adventure of Mavka, a guardian and soul of the forest, in the new CG-animated feature MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG. While mesmerized by the vivid beauty of untouched nature, soulful music, and wondrous mythical creatures, be inspired by Mavka’s courage in striving for peace and harmony and the movie’s inherent message of protecting our environment. On August 15, 2023, Shout! Kids, in collaboration with Animagrad Animation Studio and Film.UA Group, will present MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG to North American movie audiences for the first time on DVD and digital download. Produced by Ukraine-based Animagrad Animation Studio (Stolen Princess) amid the ongoing attack from Russia, the filmmaking process for MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG was arduous and hindered by continuous armed bombardment, gunfire, unrest, and massive property destruction onsite. As reported by Variety, the MAVKA production team “continued to work from their homes and from bomb shelters. Some fled to Europe and continued to work on the ambitious animated project remotely.” Based on the Ukrainian drama “The Forest Song” by celebrated poet and author Lesya Ukrainka, MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG unfolds in a universe that blends ancient Slavic traditions and folklore with a modern narrative that showcases Ukrainian culture, values, designs, and music. The movie boasts a rousing soundtrack written by well-known Ukrainian musicians, a mix of folk tunes in modern adaptations, and compositions created especially for this animated adventure. In addition to having an engaging storyline and memorable characters, this uplifting and colorful animated fairytale is bolstered by a strong young female lead character, fascinating folklores, and the relevant theme of environmental conservation. Oleg Malamuzh and Sasha Ruban direct the English-language movie. The movie features a talented voice cast of Laurie Hymes (Lupin III: The First), Eddy Lee (Your Name), Sarah Natochenny (Pokemon Master Journeys), Tom Wayland (Pokemon), Marc Thompson (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Scottie Ray (Zane Truesdale), HD Quinn (A Night Before Christmas), Nikki Thomas (Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous), Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld (Pokemon), and Mike Pollock (A Cat in Paris). Poised to entertain kids, families, and animation collectors, MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG is available for pre-order now at ShoutFactory.com and will be available in stores, other fine retailers, and digital entertainment platforms. The film first drew international attention when the initial teaser was presented at the MIFA content market in 2017, held within the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. It gained further acclaim as the only Ukrainian project to be selected to be pitched at the most significant European animation forum, Cartoon Movie 2017 in Bordeaux, for two years in a row. The project has since grown into a multi-platform IP — Mavka Universe, which brings together people from the creative, technological, and business spheres, scientific and public institutions, and government agencies. MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG | Movie Synopsis Mavka – the soul of the forest – has been chosen by the supreme spirits to become the forest’s new guardian. But when she meets a talented human musician named Lucas – a man on the hunt for a mysterious tree with the power to give life, she is faced with an impossible choice between her newfound love and her duty to the spirits. Can humans and the forest live in harmony, or will greed and vice destroy them both? DVD Bonus Features:· Featurette· Music Video· Trailers |
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| MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG Debuts August 15, 2023, in the U.S. for Watch-At-Home Available on DVD and Digital Download Directors: Oleg Malamuzh, Sasha Ruban Screenplay by: Yaroslav Voytseshek Producers: Iryna Kostyuk, Anna Eliseeva, Egor Olesov Line Producers: Yana Medvedieva, Sasha Lutsenko Head of Production: Andrew Militskiy Art Director: Kristian Koskinin Supported by the Ukrainian State Film Agency and United States Agency for International Development |
