Feature Films

Searching for ...

Alphabetic Titles:

Year of Production:

Study guide available

 

Search in



English Titles B

Brendan and the Secret of Kells

Original title: Brendan and the Secret of Kells
German title: Brendan und das Geheimnis von Kells
Ireland, France, Beluim, 2008

Director: Moore, Tomm &Twomey, Nora
Production company: The Cartoon Saloon
Co-producers: Les Amateurs, Paris; Vivi Film, Schepdaal; France 2 Cinéma, Paris
Age recommendation: 12 years and up

Synopsis:
Adventure, action and danger await young Brendan who must fight Vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary Irish Book of Kells. From the producers of Kirikou and Triplets of Belleville, a new animated masterpiece.

In the 9th century, in a remote part of Ireland, lies the fortified Kells Abbey, where 12 year-old Brendan lives quietly. He is hard at work with the other monks to fortify the abbey walls as protection against Viking raids. But he is called to a new life of adventure with the arrival of Brother Aidan, a celebrated master illuminator and keeper of an extraordinary, but unfinished book. Aidan initiates Brendan into the art of illumination, awakening a prodigious talent.
Brendan must finish the magnificent book. He has to overcome his deepest fears on a secret
quest that will take him for the first time beyond the abbey’s walls into the enchanted forest where dangerous mythical creatures hide. It is here where he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young white wolf/girl, who will help him along the way.

But with the terrifying Viking hordes closing in, will Brendan’s artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against barbarians?

Comments:
Animation.

"Absolutely Luscious to Behold!" - Variety

"Stunning! A cascade of light, color and wonder burst from the screen!" - The Irish
Times

"Holds the spectator in a waking dream from beginning to end!" - Le Monde

Festivals:
Berlin Generation Kplus 2009, Dublin 2009, Cartoon Movie 2009 (awarded), Annecy 2009 (awarded), Animafest Zagreb 2009 (awarded), Munich 2009, Carrousel Rimouski/CAN 2009, Buster Copenhagen 2009, nominated for European Film Award for Animated Feature Films 2009, Vienna 2009, Ale Kino Poznan 2009, New York 2010, Oscar 2010: Academy Award Nominee for Best Animated Picture, New York Int. CFF 2010, Montreal 2010 (awarded), Reel2Real Vancouver 2010, Stockholm Junior 2010, Discovery Belfast 2010, Freeze Frame Winnipeg 2011, Leeds 2011, Cinemagic Belfast 2011, FIFEM Montreal 2014, Kinodisea Arad/Romania 2016

Website: www.thesecretofkells.com

Study guide: www.thesecretofkells.com

Study guide: Danish

Study guide: English

Study guide: Flemish

Study guide: French

Study guide: Slovenian

Study guide: Slovenian (Booklet for children)

Website: Website

Some additional media: Digital filmpage (Flemish)

World sales address/es:
Celluloid Dreams (F)

Sold to:
gkids (USA)
unknown