Kirikou and the Sorceress

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Kirikou et la sorcière
French movie poster of Kirikou et la sorcière
Directed by	Michel Ocelot
Produced by	Didier Brunner Paul Thiltges Jacques Vercruyssen
Written by	Michel Ocelot
Starring	Theo Sebeko Antoinette Kellermann
Music by	Youssou N'Dour
Editing by	Dominique Lefèvre
Distributed by	MFA Filmdistribution (Germany) ArtMattan Productions (U.S.)
Release date(s)	December 9, 1998
Running time	74 min.
Language	French
Budget	€3.800.000 (estimated)
Followed by	Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005)
IMDb profile

English movie poster

Kirikou et la sorcière (Kirikou and the Sorceress in English) (1998) is a French animated film based on an African folk tale where a newborn boy saves his village by ridding the world of Karaba, the evil sorceress. The film is directed by Michel Ocelot. It was so successful that a sequel, Kirikou and the Wild Beasts, followed in 2005.

1 Plot
2 Cast
3 Distributors
4 Distribution Controversy
5 Awards
6 External links

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

In a little village somewhere in Africa, a boy named Kirikou is born in a spectacular way. But he's not a normal boy, because he knows what he wants very well. Also, immediately after he's born, he already can speak and walk. His mother tells him how an evil sorceress has dried up their spring and devoured all males of the village except for one. Hence little Kirikou decides, he will accompany the last warrior to the sorceress. Due to his intrepidity he may be the last hope of the village.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Cast

The cast of the French version of the film.

Theo Sebeko — Kirikou (voice)
Antoinette Kellermann — Karaba (voice)
Fezele Mpeka — Uncle (voice)
Kombisile Sangweni — The Mother (voice)
Mabutho 'Kid' Sithole — The Old Man/Viellard (voice)

[edit] Distributors

Argentina - Prodifilms
Brazil:
- Cult Filmes (VHS)
- Paulinas Multimídia (2005) (Brazil) (DVD)
Denmark - Angel Films A/S
Germany - MFA Filmdistribution
Japan - Albatros Film (2003) (theatrical) (dubbed version)
Russia - RUSCICO (2004) (video)
Spain - Alta Classics S.L. Unipersonal
United States - ArtMattan Productions (2000) (dubbed)
Unknown:
- Remstar Distribution
- Gébéka Films

[edit] Distribution Controversy

The film's content of natural nudity enraged some overseas distributors. Some requested airbrushing pants on the fully naked boys and men, as well as bras for the topless women. Michel Ocelot refused; this was African culture, and he wanted to stay faithful to it. In some countries, because of the distribution fights, it wasn't released commercially until four years later.

[edit] Awards

Year	Award Show	Award	Category	Result
1999	Annecy International Animated Film Festival	Grand Prix	Best Animation Film	won
1999	Castellinaria International Festival of Young Cinema		Environment and Health Award	won
1999	Castellinaria International Festival of Young Cinema		Silver Castle	won
1999	Chicago International Children's Film Festival	Adult's Jury Award	Feature Film and Video - Animation	won
1999	Chicago International Children's Film Festival	Children's Jury Award	Feature Film and Video - Animation	won
1999	Cinekid		Cinekid Film Award	won
1999	Oulu International Children's Film Festival		C.I.F.E.J. Award	won
1999	Oulu International Children's Film Festival		Starboy Award	nominated
2000	Ale Kino! - International Young Audience Film Festival	Silver Poznan Goat	Best Animation Film	won
2000	Cartagena Film Festival	Prize of the Children's Cinema Competition Jury	Best Feature Film for Children	won
2000	Montréal International Children's Film Festival	Special Jury Prize	Feature Film	won
2002	British Animation Awards	British Animation Award	Best European Feature Film	won (tied with Chicken Run)