Catlands / Maček med vrati
2D digital cut-out animation, 9'44'', 2024
Aspect ratio: 1:85 (theaters), 16:9 (TV, video)
Stereo, 5.1, no dialogue
CREW
Scriptwriter, director and art director: Ana Čigon
Animators: Kata Gugić, Ana Čigon, Ana Horvat, Bernarda Kristan, Lea Vučko, Damir Grbanović
Background design: Julijana Božič
Editing: Iva Kraljević
Music: Tomaž Grom
Sound design: Boštjan Kačičnik
Voice actors: Aphra Tesla, Tea Vidmar, Jošt Jesenovec, Blaž Šef, Ana Čigon
Image postproduction: Teo Rižnar
Producer: Viva Videnović (URGH!)
Co-producer: Vanja Andrijević (Bonobostudio)
Co-production: URGH!, RTV Slovenija (SI) / Bonobostudio (HR)
With the support of: Slovenian Film Centre, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Viba film.
International sales: Bonobostudio info(a t)bonobostudio.hr
Art Gallery screenings: Ana Čigon mail(a t)anacigon.si
Available prints: DCP, ProRes HD, H264 HD
"A humorous take on the proverbial Slovenian attitude to borders and fences." - jury statement for Special mention at the Festival of Slovenian Film 2024
A satire that mirrors Europe's pressing political issues through the daily ups and downs in the relationships of neighbouring cats.
Link to Catlands Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/catlands.animation
Link to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBOcyE42wc4
SYNOPSIS
The film takes place in Catlands, the union of distinct feline territories inhabited by cats of various social statuses. The delicate established status quo is disrupted by newcomers trespassing the lawns of the cats’ united territories. To address this international issue, the most prominent residents devise a cunning plan, one that cannot be executed without harming some innocent victims.
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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
This is a story about the European Union – specifically about how its ideals of unity and democracy collide with its policies regarding refugees. The EU's appearance, which often contradicts its politics, is reflected in the animation, where an idyllic environment with colourful, cute and funny cats eventually clashes with the brutality of an inhumane deportation. The scenery is full of details (like scratches and bandages on the newcomer cats) hinting at a less civilized story about to be revealed. However, all these elements are subtle and leave space for different interpretations until the final scene when a clearer statement is amplified by the politically tinted score of Beethoven's Ode to Joy.
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Stills from the film Catlands
Texts about the animation:
• Zippy Frames, Erika Roša, Animafest Zagreb 2024: Croatian Film Competition 2 (GoCritic! Review), 23/6/2024
• Format Court, Laure Dion, Semaine méditerranéenne à Cinemed, 30. 10. 2024 (FR)
• Format Court, Laure Dion, intervju z Ano Čigon, J’adore utiliser la satire, l’ironie et l’humour, 13.11.2024 (FR)
• Primorske novice, Maja Pertič Gombač, Festival slovenskega filma: Vsaj nekje smo lahko optimistični, 24/10/2024 (in Slovenian)
• Akademska televizija, Meet the authors, 50'45- 66'45'', 24. 10 2024 (SLO)
Making of Catlands: https://youtu.be/jyRLnOZVbh4?feature=shared