- Film Review
- Reviewed By David Parkinson
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4 out of 5
French animator Michel Ocelot departs from the stylised West African designs of Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998) and Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005) in this stunning Arabian Nights-inspired tale. It tells the story of childhood friends who are separated when Asmar's nursemaid mother is banished from court by Azur's widowed father and later come together to search for the imprisoned Djinn Fairy. Ocelot's use of colour is particularly dazzling, however, the beauty of the CGI graphics owes as much to medieval and Islamic art as to the cut-out techniques of the great German silhouettist Lotte Reiniger. But this is not just a gorgeous fairy tale, as Ocelot also sprinkles the action with wise words about racial and religious tolerance and the equality of the sexes.
Plot Summary
An orphan is raised by his best friend's mother, who regales both boys with tales of the Djinn-fairy, a legendary creature with magical powers. As an adult, he travels the world in search of the Djinn-fairy, only to find his friend is now a bitter rival on the same quest. Animated fantasy, with the voices of Cyril Mourali and Karim M'Riba. In Arabic and French.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Azur
- Steven Kyman
- Asmar
- Nigel Pilkington
- Jenane
- Suzanna Nour
- Crapoux
- Nigel Lambert
- Azur as a child
- Leopold Benedict
- Asmar as a child
- Freddie Benedict
- Princess Chamsous Sabah
- Imogen Bailey
- The Djinn Fairy
- Emma Tate
- The Elf Fairy
- Suzanne David
- Wise man Yadoa
- Sean Barrett
Crew
- Director
- Michel Ocelot
- Director
- George Roubicek
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