Rise of the Zelphire: children with strange powers

by Fabien Lemercier

07/03/2013 - The next project of the director of Dragon Hunters is being showcased at the Cartoon Movie event, which also highlights Le Prince et les 108 Démons

Amongst the 17 French animated projects selected for Cartoon Movie (article), currently taking place in Lyon, one film stands out in particular, Rise of the Zelphire, which will be directed by Arthur Qwak (who co-directed Dragon Hunters with Guillaume Ivernel). Produced by Malika Brahmi and Florent Mounier for 2d3D Animations (who notably coproduced Pinocchio [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Enzo D'Alò
film profile] by Enzo d’Alo), the project is in its development phase.

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Adapted by Arthur Qwak from Karim Friha’s eponymous comic strip, the screenplay of Rise of the Zelphire is set in the 19th century, in the midst of political revolutions. Traumatized children develop strange powers. They are nicknamed Zelphires… Béremhilt is a prosperous and peaceful republic. It had witnessed dark and violent times when the Baron Vilnark took over by force. His dictatorship lasted a few years before it was ended by an insurrection. But the roots of dictatorship remain perennial and from the depths of darkness, the ghosts of the past soon emerge. The Zelphires, rejected by the ignorance and fear of men, will bring victory over darkness by using their powers for the good of all.

As for films in production presented in Lyon, France is particularly counting on Le Prince et les 108 Démons by Pascal Morelli. Announced last year in Cannes, the new feature film by the director of Corto Maltese – la cour secrète des arcanes is based on the Chinese adventure novel, The Water Margin. The screenplay by Pascal Morelli and Jean Pêcheux goes deep into 11th-century China, in the footsteps of a young prince, an old monk and a little beggar, who attempt to defeat the demon-Kings who are terrorizing the country. Produced by Same Player, Le Prince et les 108 Démons is coproduced by France 3 Cinéma, Kayenta Production, the Luxembourg company Bidibul, the Belgian company Scope Pictures and the Chinese company Fundamental. The film, which will be ready in spring 2014, also benefits from funding from Eurimages. Distribution on French screens will be handled by Gebeka and international sales by EuropaCorp.