The Ape Star
Best Birthday Ever
Apstjärnan Jonna is happy at the orphanage, so when a gorilla in pink pants adopts her, it comes as quite a shock. The single-minded eight-year-old discovers that Gorilla, who lives in a house next to a junkyard, loves books, has a sense of humour and makes an unusual, yet good mother. They take no notice of what others think. Jonna helps Gorilla with her bric-a-brac stall and they become very happy together. The only threat comes from the town councillor who wants to get rich by building an amusement park where Gorilla’s house now stands.
Just when a young rabbit wants to celebrate its birthday, its parents have to take its baby sister to the doctor. The headstrong little creature decides to go to grandma, because she is always nice. The journey through the woods together with his friends becomes an adventure full of funny, exciting and unexpected events. Once the mean fox has been chased off and everyone has arrived at grandma’s after a lot of complications, the bunny knows it has never had such an amazing birthday.
Simple, yet playful 2D animation featuring atmospheric backdrops from the makers of Gordon & Paddy. Alongside all the excitement, at least equal attention is paid to the moving, unexpected bond between Jonna and Gorilla. Serious themes such as racism, injustice and diversity are dealt with playfully. After the book by Frida Nilsson.
Michael Ekblad (Molly Monster the Movie) based this 2D animation on Rotraut Susanne Berner’s series of books. The everyday issues, full of humorous detail, that beset this very human rabbit family will be recognisable even for the youngest viewers. That also applies for all the other experiences in this simple story. If things briefly get exciting, they are immediately followed by relief and fun.
LINDA HAMBÄCK SWEDEN, NORWAY, DENMARK | 2021 | 72’ | 5+
MICHAEL EKBLAD SWEDEN, THE NETHERLANDS, GERMANY | 2021 | 70’ | 4+
FACTS Dutch title Mijn moeder is een gorilla Producer Petter Lindblad,
FACTS Dutch title De beste verjaardag ooit Producer Alexandra Schatz
Linda Hambäck Screenwriter Janne Vierth Editor Ulf Tønder
Screenwriter Aje Andrea Brucken Editor Marcus Horn Composer
Flittig, Linda Hambäck Composer Tania Naranjo, Minna
Annette Focks, Udo Schobel Leading actors Max Lester,
Weurlander, Production company LEE Film Stockholm AB, Sweden,
Beatrice Davies, Rufus Bateman, Harry Wright, Johnathan Bailey
linda@leefilm.se Sales company Attraction Distribution, Canada,
Production company Alexandra Schatz Filmproduktion UG,
info@attractiondistribution.ca, www.attractiondistribution.ca
Germany, office@schatzfilmproduktion.com Sales company SC
Distributor In The Air
Films International, United Kingdom, info@scfilmsinternational.com, www.scfilmsinternational.com Distributor Periscoop Film
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