The Legend of the Sky Kingdom
{{more citations needed|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox film
| name = The Legend of the Sky Kingdom
| image = Legendsky.jpg
| caption = DVD cover
| director = Roger Hawkins
| producer = Phil Cunningham
Jacqui Cunningham
| writer = Phil Cunningham
| starring = Jason Linforth
Miriam Hamblin
Gabriel Phillips
Wina Msamati
Rodney Newman
| music = Andrew Baird
| cinematography =
| editing =
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|2003|10||South Africa}}
| runtime = 73 minutes
| country = Zimbabwe
| language = English
| budget =
| gross =
}}
The Legend of the Sky Kingdom is a 2003 animated feature film directed by Roger Hawkins. Produced in Harare, Zimbabwe, the film was the first full-length animated feature film to come out of Africa.{{Cite book|title=Animation: A World History: Volume III: Contemporary Times.|last=Bendazzi|first=Giannalberto|publisher=FOCAL|year=2016|isbn=978-1138035324|pages=303}} It was based on a children's book of the same name by Phil Cunningham, who was also the film's producer.
It was in the 2003 Montreal World Film Festival (African Horizons section){{Cite journal|last=de Jager|first=Christelle|date=16 October 2003|title=Videovision inks for toon 'Legend'|journal=Daily Variety|volume=281|issue=9|pages=6|issn=0011-5509}} and premiered at the Durban International Film Festival in October 2003.{{Cite web |url=http://www.southafrica.info/what_happening/arts_entertainment/junkmation.htm |title=Courier Market |access-date=2006-12-18 |archive-date=2011-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927013028/http://www.southafrica.info/what_happening/arts_entertainment/junkmation.htm |url-status=live }} It also screened at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, Seoul Animation Film Festival, The London Film Festival, The New York African Film Festival, Sithengi/Cape Town World Cinema Festival{{Cite news|title=Sunrise To Premiere Latest Offering At Film Festival|date=19 July 2006|work=All Africa}} and Bath Film Festival.{{Cite news|title=World class cinema, classics and innovation at festival|date=5 November 2009|work=Wiltshire Times}}
The film has been described as an allegorical tale with the theme of "believing is seeing".
Plot
Three enslaved orphans (Blockhead, Lucky and Squidge) work in the goldmines in the Underground City ruled by the Evil Emperor, and wish for freedom from their gruelling situation. Along with other characters, they escape from the mines and are briefly imprisoned, and make a second getaway to search for a mythical Sky Kingdom. The group appeal to higher forces when confronted by various challenges{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2003/film/reviews/the-legend-of-the-sky-kingdom-1200539451/|title=The Legend of the Sky Kingdom|last=Harvey|first=Dennis|date=8 September 2003|website=Variety|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120180247/https://variety.com/2003/film/reviews/the-legend-of-the-sky-kingdom-1200539451/|url-status=live}} such as being chased by hyenas,{{Cite news|title=A kid's life: The Times 47th London bfi Film Festival|last=Hunter|first=Joanna|date=18 October 2003|work=The Times}} but eventually reach the Sky Kingdom.
Production
The film was animated using stop motion animation and was made by a team of fifteen people between 1999 and 2002{{Cite news|title=Young Movie-Makers Turn Junk Into Art|last=Moodie|first=Gill|date=17 November 2002|work=All Africa}}{{Cite news|title=Animation Fantasy Film Now Out|date=14 February 2003|work=All Africa}} across two studios.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03m09zj|title=Artbeat: The Legend of the Sky Kingdom|last1=Horrocks|first1=Jenny|last2=Vickers|first2=Steve|date=27 November 2003|website=BBC|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120180705/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03m09zj|url-status=live}} Music from the movie includes a range of singers including Zimbabwean cricketer Henry Olonga.
The found-object aesthetic of the film has been described by the filmmakers as "junkmation", a stylistic choice necessitated by budget considerations as well as inspired by the wire and metalwork of Africa's folk artists, who often transform discarded items into works of art. Director Roger Hawkins described this as wanting to achieve a fresh and unique style linked with Africa. The team sorted and selected junk items from a vacant lot next to their office.
The filmmakers also spent two years custom-building a motion camera out of bicycle parts because they did not have the funds to buy a professional one.
The film does not include a credit listing, as the filmmakers wanted to emphasise the core message of the film instead.
Videovision Entertainment acquired the worldwide distribution rights for the film.
Reception
Variety reviewed the film as having a clever found-object look appealing more to grown-ups, but the dialogue and ethnic-stereotype voice performances were a detraction.
It reached the top five in the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
Urther Rwafa has described the film as challenging and subverting Zimbabwe's political censorship.{{Cite journal|last=Rwafa|first=Urther|date=January 2012|title=The fantastic subversion of censorship in the film The Legend of the Sky Kingdom|journal=Latin American Report|volume=28|issue=1|pages=288–297|issn=0256-6060}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|id=0430293}}
- [http://www.southafrica.info/what_happening/arts_entertainment/junkmation.htm News article]
- [http://www.sunrise.co.za/ DVD at Sunrise Media]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Legend of the Sky Kingdom, The}}
Category:2000s stop-motion animated films
Category:Zimbabwean animated films