Azur et Asmar

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Azur et Asmar
Original French-language poster
Directed by	Michel Ocelot
Produced by	Christophe Rossignon
Written by	Michel Ocelot
Distributed by	Diaphana Seville Pictures Lucky Red Ghibli Museum Library Soda Pictures The Weinstein Company
Release date(s)	25 October 2006 8 February 2008
Running time	99 minutes
Country	Belgium France Italy Spain
Language	Arabic French
Official website
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Azur et Asmar (2006) is the fourth animated feature film by director Michel Ocelot, most famous for Kirikou and the Sorceress. It is a 3D computer animation – his first – with two-dimensional, painted backgrounds and non-photorealistic rendering. Like most of his films it is an original fairy tale, in this case inspired by the folklore and decorative art of North Africa and the Middle East. English-subtitled and dubbed versions have been shown at some festivals and in the United Kingdom as Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest.

[edit] Synopsis

Once upon a time there were two children nursed by same woman. Azur, a blonde, blue-eyed son of a noblewoman and Asmar, the dark skinned and dark-eyed child of the nurse. The nurse tells them the story of the Djinn-fairy waiting to be released from her chamber by a good and heroic prince. Brought up together they are as close as brothers until the day Azur's father cruelly separates them, banishing the nurse and Asmar from his home and sending Azur away to boarding school. Years later, Azur is haunted by memories of the legendary Djinn-fairy, and takes it upon himself to journey all the way to Asmar's homeland to seek it out. Now reunited, he finds that she has since become a successful merchant, while Asmar is now a member of the royal guard. However, Asmar also longs to find the Djinn-fairy, and only one of the two youths can be successful in their quest.

[edit] Alternative titles

Japan: Azûru to Asumâru
Brazil: As Aventuras de Azur e Asmar
France: Azur et Asmar
Greece: Azur kai Asmar
Spain: Azur y Asmar
UK: Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest

[edit] External links

• UK distributor
• French stills and trailer
• English-language trailer
• Production sketches
• Interview (French)