The Red Turtle
Remote and mysterious, whether hostile or enticing, infernal microcosms or dreamed worlds, islands have long captivated the imaginations of filmmakers. By their very isolated nature, they often serve as metaphoric or literal settings of loss and introspection, inviting exploration and oblivion. Enclosed by water, they provide ideal backdrops for intimate dramas and intense adventures, their geography shaping the narrative. As many real-world islands face existential threats, we invite you to explore a few fictional isles where cinema has found its enchanting refuge along the shore.
Winner of the Un Certain Regard Special Prize, 2016 Cannes Film Festival
Shipwrecked on a lush desert island, a man tries everything to get out to sea, but a large red turtle keeps stopping him. He attacks it, only to be overcome with remorse. This encounter is the starting point of a wonderful adventure that will turn his life upside down.
Michael Dudok de Wit
Michael Dudok de Wit is a Dutch animation filmmaker who rose to prominence in 1994 with his short film The Monk and the Fish. This work, part of the "Artist in Residence" program at the Folimage studio in Valence, France, garnered an Oscar nomination and became a festival favorite. In addition to directing several commercials, including ones for AT&T and American Airlines, which won an award at Annecy in 2005, Dudok de Wit achieved acclaim with another short film masterpiece, Father and Daughter. This film won the Grand Prix at the Annecy Festival and the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2000. Later, he was approached by Studio Ghibli's Isao Takahata to create his first feature film, The Red Turtle, co-written with Pascale Ferran. Premiering at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section in 2016, it received the Special Jury Prize. The film also opened the Annecy Festival that year and was selected for numerous other festivals worldwide. The Red Turtle remains his sole feature film to date.
