This summer, families are invited to discover the fantastical world of ancient forests and be enchanted by the captivating adventure of Mavka, a guardian and soul of the forest, in the new CG-animated feature MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG.
About Mavka The Forest Song
The film will make its North American debut on DVD and digital download on August 15, 2023. Distributed by Shout! Kids, in collaboration with Animagrad Animation Studio and Film.UA Group.
Ukraine-based Animagrad Animation Studio produced the film; amid the ongoing attack from Russia, the filmmaking process for MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG was arduous and hindered by continuous armed bombardment, gunfire, unrest, and massive property destruction onsite. As reported by Variety, the MAVKA production team “continued to work from their homes and from bomb shelters. Some fled to Europe and continued to work on the ambitious animated project remotely.”
The film is based on the Ukrainian drama “The Forest Song” by celebrated poet and author Lesya Ukrainka, MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG. The story unfolds in a universe that blends ancient Slavic traditions and folklore with a modern narrative that showcases Ukrainian culture, values, designs, and music.
The film’s soundtrack is composed by Dario Vero, known for The Stolen Princess, and boasts a rousing soundtrack written by well-known Ukrainian musicians, a mix of folk tunes in modern adaptations, and compositions created especially for this animated adventure. The film delivers an engaging storyline and memorable characters, this uplifting and colorful animated fairytale is bolstered by a strong young female lead character, fascinating folklores, and the relevant theme of environmental conservation.
Director Oleg Malamuzh and Sasha Ruban direct the English-language movie. The movie features a talented voice cast of Laurie Hymes (Lupin III: The First), Eddy Lee (Your Name), Sarah Natochenny (Pokemon Master Journeys), Tom Wayland (Pokemon), Marc Thompson (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Scottie Ray (Zane Truesdale), HD Quinn (A Night Before Christmas), Nikki Thomas (Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous), Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld (Pokemon), and Mike Pollock (A Cat in Paris).
MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG is available for pre-order now at Amazon.com and will be available in stores, other fine retailers, and digital entertainment platforms.
Movie Synopsis
Mavka – the soul of the forest – has been chosen by the supreme spirits to become the forest’s new guardian. But when she meets a talented human musician named Lucas – a man on the hunt for a mysterious tree with the power to give life, she is faced with an impossible choice between her newfound love and her duty to the spirits. Can humans and the forest live in harmony, or will greed and vice destroy them both?
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