To attend the European premiere at the International Animation Film Festival in Annecy (Annecy International Animation Film Festival, June 13-18), both film director Signe Baumane and filmmakers from Riga and Luxembourg arrived in France from New York. At the premiere of the Annecy Festival, the director met for the first time in person the composer of her film, Christian Sersini, with whom she has been working for more than ten years. Christian Sersini has not only created a rich music track for the film My marriage project, which is praised and highlighted by many film critics, but also for Signes’ previous film Stones in my pockets (2014).
“I’ve been to many premieres, but movies My marriage project The premiere at the Annecy Festival was unexpectedly impressive. There were more than 1,000 spectators in the hall, and the loud applause at the end of the film almost knocked me off my feet. After that, every morning in the center of the festival, I made paper flowers in Ukrainian colors to draw attention to the events of the war, and I met many wonderful people who came to my table to tell how much they liked the film. It was an uplifting experience, as were the great question and answer sessions after the film’s screenings at the festival. The response and interest of the audience in filming the film is gratifying and very inspiring, “says Signe Baumane of her experience at the Annecy Festival.
My Marriage Project was selected for the main screening of the Annecy Festival and received a grant from the main jury. Excellence Award / Jury Distinction (Annecy Prize List – here ).
At the Guadalajara Film Festival (Guadalajara International Film Festival, 10-18 June), the film was represented and the prize was awarded to producer Robert Vinovsky: The screening continued in the hallways and in the lobby long after the end of the film, and we, the filmmakers, are extremely pleased to have achieved what we hoped for – the film’s message is universal and reaches viewers around the world, regardless of country, language or cultural experience. We were able to see that in a short time in New York, France and Mexico. “
At the Guadalajara Festival, Signe Baumane’s film was selected for the International Feature Film Competition and won a Jury Award. Honorific mention (list of laureates here)
Animated film for adults My marriage project asks the eternal question – what is love, how to find and save it. The film tells the story of a young woman’s love for Zelma, which involves her mythical Sirens – they teach her to strive for an ideal marriage, but the images collapse inevitably when Biology, with its hormonal and neuronal signals, affects a woman’s behavior and emotions. According to the website of the Traibeck Film Festival, some people spend their entire lives wondering why it has failed to maintain a relationship, but Signe Baumane is determined to find an answer, resulting in an animated film that combines both ancient mythology and modern neuroscience.
The film is a co-production of Latvia, the USA and Luxembourg, made with the financial support of the National Cinema Center. The company distributes the film worldwide New Europe Film Sales, and it is an indicator of quality – this agency selects its catalog very carefully, its films are world-premiered at the best Class A film festivals.
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