Eleven Arts Release Studio 4°C's 'Poupelle Of Chimney Town' This December
Studio 4°C is one of Japan's most acclaimed animation studios. From Memories to the Animatrix, from Mind Game to Children of The Sea, the Tokyo-based studio has produced many internationally highly-regarded works since its founding in 1986. For the 2021 festival season, the studio has actually been promoting two films: Fortune Favours Lady Nikuko and Poupelle Of Chimney Town. While Lady Nikuko (from Children Of The Sea director Ayumi Watanabe) has yet to have a US release confirmed, LA-based distributor Eleven Arts has licensed the latter for North America.
Poupelle Of Chimney Town is written by Japanese comedian and illustrator Akihiro Nishino, adapting his own bestselling picture book. Yusuke Hirota makes his directorial debut on the film, having previously served as computer graphics director on several 4°C productions.
The film was originally released in Japan late last year, and was nominated for the 2021 Japan Academy Film Prize for Animation Of The Year. It had its international premiere at this year's Annecy International Animation Festival before going on to screen at Fantasia, Scotland Loves Anime and Animation Is Film Festivals. Eleven Arts will release the film theatrically in both original language and English dubbed formats in the US and Canada from December 30, 2021. They will also screen the film for qualification for the 2022 Academy Awards.
Eleven Arts revealed the official synopsis:
Poupelle of Chimney Town is the story of young Lubicchi living among the thick smoke from the chimneys of his isolated town, yearning to see the “stars” — to know the truth — his father always told him about. One Halloween night he meets Poupelle, a man made of garbage, and together they look to the sky as their adventure begins. Spectacularly beautiful, filled with inspiring performances and splendid music and sound effects, and produced at Tokyo's famed STUDIO4ºC, Poupelle of Chimney Town brings laughter, tears and joy.
“We are very proud to bring Poupelle of Chimney Town to North American audiences. It’s an incredibly impactful animated feature that audiences will relate to and be deeply moved by,” said Eleven Arts. CEO Ko Mori.
The English dubbed version of the film will feature the voices of Tony Hale (Arrested Development) Antonio Raul Corbo, Misty Lee, Steven Root and Hasan Minhaj.
Eleven Arts and Shout Factory will also release Shirobako The Movie on Blu-Ray and DVD Combo pack and digital download this December. The film is a sequel to the popular 2014 series about making anime, and director Tsutomu Mizushima and screenwriter Michiko Yokote reprise their roles from the series.
Four years after the events of the series, Musashino Animation has gone through drastic changes and things are looking bleak for the studio. One day, Aoi Miyamori is offered a role managing a new theatrical animation project. With only a few months left before the deadline, can MUSANI complete the project in its current state? It’s up to Aoi to work alongside both familiar faces and new to finish the project in time!
