Jan 30 2010
Hound: new Cuchulainn film in production!
Pic: BreakThru Films |
Now here’s something I’m really excited about! I don’t often go over the top about something new (OK, well that’s not exactly true is it – I can get a bit excited!  ) but this new film by BreakThru Films about CuChulainn looks as though it is going to be fantastic! Using “visual innovations as portrayed in recent films like 300, Pan’s Labyrinth and the Lord Of The Rings trilogy“, the scope of the Ulster Cycle story about CuChulainn is going to brought to life in this ambitious project by this UK-based Film company.
When Celtic hero Cúchulainn returns home from exile the war spirit Morrigan seduces him with tragic consequences: forcing him to wage war on war itself. |
Hound: The Story
| Buried in the mythic ancient past lies an Ireland divided up by four tribal “nations”: the original inhabitants and three exotic new peoples swept in on successive waves of immigration in a world as much in flux as the present, co-existing in a perpetual cycle of war and truce. A clash of cultures and ideas as vital as any in our accelerated modern world, their world is over-laid by the mystic, the magical, and the realm of the spirits. Into this world is born Cúchulainn, a semi-divine hero marked out by destiny as the greatest warrior but bound for tragic glory: yet in the brutal tragedy of his life lies the seed of a united island. | 
Pic: BreakThru Films |
When the other three nations, steered by the war spirit Morrigan and led by the malevolent Queen Maeve, invade his homeland to take the prized Brown Bull of Cooley, Cúchulainn returns home early from military training in the Land of Shadows to help his kin. He finds his people struck down by a mysterious sickness, unable to defend themselves, and is forced to make a lone stand against the invaders. Manipulated by the war spirit, Morrigan, Queen Maeve sets her sights on far more than a bull and pits Cú’s oldest friend – her best champion – against him.
Realising the futility of war after he defeats his friend Cú turns his grief stricken rage on the war spirit herself. He tragically fights fire with fire, and when that fails he chooses sacrifice over surrender. It is the only way to ensure the war spirit can never use his power against mankind again. [Source]
Hound: The Film Company behind the film
Pic: BreakThru Films |
Founded by producer Hugh Welchman, BreakThru Films is a London- and Warsaw-based prize-winning film and animation production company, handling its own international sales and domestic distribution.
BreakThru established its reputation with its slate of prize-winning shorts which have collected over twenty international awards & nominations, including two BAFTA nominations, an official selection at Cannes, the Annecy Cristal and Annecy Audience awards, Canal+ Prize, TCM prize, the Rose D’ Or as well as an Oscar for Best Short Animation Film for Peter & The Wolf.
In addition to our productions, we were the Visual Effects Producers on the Edith Piaf biopic, “La Vie En Rose”, winner of the Golden Globe, four Baftas and two Academy Awards. We are also the Associate Producers and UK distributors of “Free Jimmy”, starring Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Simon Pegg, David Tenant and Jim Broadbent, which was the closing film for Critic’s Fortnight, at the Cannes Film Festival, and won the Annecy Cristal for Best Animated Feature Film.
In the fall of 2007, we brought one of Britain’s best loved cartoon characters, “Alex”, to the theatre, innovatively combining animation with a stellar performance from Robert Bathurst. Appearing in London’s West End, the production has been both a financial and critical success (“Blissfully Funny” Sunday Times; “technically ingenious and irresistibly funny” Daily Telegraph; “Flawless comedy” Time Out). BreakThru are currently working with the “Alex” creators to bring it to cinema screens, and are in post-production on a feature “The Last Thakur”, a Spaghetti Western set in Bangladesh. We’re also at present in post production on “The Lost Town of Switez”, another big screen animation based on a classic, to be accompanied by live orchestras. [Source]
The style and look of the film will be a mix of live action and CG animation enhanced imagery. Seeking to use visual innovations as portrayed in recent films like 300, Pan’s Labyrinth and the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Cuchulainn will not ape these movies but will seek to use similar techniques to find a unique vision or window into the world of Celtic mythology.
The main characters will be actors while the world of ERIN will be created digitally, where actual locations do not offer the look or space needed.
The intent is to bring to the screen a seamless marriage of reality and dreams so authentic that we do not question the place, but instead revel in the romance, adventure and vitality of its story and characters. [Facebook]
[...] Hound: new Cuchulainn film in production! | Celtic Myth Podshow … [...]
Mixed feelings about this, reading that review. Of course, I wish it was put together by an Irish film company, but fund raising has become difficult. A word in the ear of Sligo’s Model Arts who seem to have the knack in fundraising and movie making seems to be their next logical evolution.
Wish the movie used remote ancient site rich Ireland locations, but again budget would be the issue.
Ideal locations would be parts of Donegal, our local Carrowkeel, around the Royal Court of Connaught where the bullring still exists, the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone, the coast of Cooley and the dramatic Cúchulainn stone still standing with its red oxide stains looking like the pouring of blood from the top. A crow does land on this from time to time.
Even so, curious and will try to get to see it.
Oh dear, sounds to me like a good old butchering of some great stories… ‘the seed of a united island’ are you kidding me! Nothing to do with what the stories are about and Cuchulainn looks like avatar. Oh and theres more… it’s all gonna be CG! good god……..
Please keep us posted, Gary and Ruth. I can’t wait to see this one.
this epic tale has been a long time coming, it’s great it’s being made, i just hope that the advisors are top of their game so it has the authenticity and feeling of the 300 which was a great film and close to Herodotus’ telling of the 300 Spartans story in his Histories, lets hope it’s that good.
Is cuma cad é a deirtear go diúltach, tá mé féin ag dúil go mór leis seo. Dar ndóigh, bheadh roinnt agús agam go fóill. Áfach má tá sé inchurtha leis na scannáin eile CG atá luaite mar, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ agus ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ beidh caighdean maith ann . Má chloítear leis an an scéal féin go díliseach éireoidh go breá leis.
Is it going to be in the Irish language? It should be. Otherwise just a try hard Hollywood copy and will lack all cultural authenticity.
That would be great – but subtitling for non-Irish speakers would take it out of the mass-appeal market. Is it possible to have mass appeal and still retain cultural authenticity? I certainly hope so.
Some good thoughts, thank you
Gary x x x
For non-native Irish speakers amongst us (I myself am a mere beginner), Google gives the following translation of your comment:
díliseach is a word I can’t find anywhere…
It seems sad that much of the power, authenticity and success of the film is down to the ‘hard cash’ invested in it!
Would that it were not so! For me, if it adheres (largely) to the story and brings many more people to study the legends and history of the Setanta, it will have been worthwhile.
All the best,
Gary x x x
I’m totally with you!
The tale is epic in its scope and deserves to be preserved along with the other great tales of antiquity. It easily compares to Homer’s Illian and Odyssey and should be treated with just such respect! For me, if it adheres (largely) to the story and brings many more people to study the legends and history of the Setanta, it will have been worthwhile.
I pray that is so
Gary x x x
The good news is, this story is public domain. So if the movie is done poorly, it doesn’t mean we can’t see a better adaptation in the future.
I have looked all over for more information on the movie, such as a possible release date and have not been successful. When someone discovers this, please share! I am very excited about seeing this movie and curious to their take on Setanta.