Co-presented by Japan Foundation,Gourmais

Canadian Premiere
Axis

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms

Directed by Mari Okada

Sat July 14, 2018
12:00 PM

Auditorium des diplômés de la SGWU (Théâtre Hall)

Credits  

Director

Mari Okada

Writer

Mari Okada

Cast

Manaka Iwami, Miyu Irino, Ai Kayano, Yuki Kaji, Miyuki Sawashiro

contact

Eleven Arts

Japan 2018 115 mins OV Japanese Subtitles : English
Genre AnimationFantasy

Official selection

Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2018, Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival 2018, Glasgow Film Festival 2018

A gentle, enchanted race of weavers, the Iolph pass the many centuries of their lives crafting their traditional fabrics in their idyllic, isolated village. Among this perpetually youthful tribe is Maquia, beloved by all but touched by loss and loneliness. The peace is shattered when soldiers arrive astride dragons, dispatched by the King of Mesate to wrest away the spoils and secrets of the Iolph. Maquia succeeds in escaping, only to find herself cast into the unknown wilderness. When she discovers an orphaned baby boy, as lost and forlorn as she, Maquia feels compelled to care for him as they seek their way in the world of humans – a world in growing turmoil. The bond between Maquia and her ward Erial, however, is one woven with threads of tragedy.

Renowned for her screenwriting on numerous notable anime titles, including the celebrated 2015 feature THE ANTHEM OF THE HEART, Mari Okada makes her debut as a director with the breathtaking MAQUIA: WHEN THE PROMISED FLOWER BLOOMS. Okada’s gifts as a storyteller fortify this medieval fantasy escapade, adding rare emotional heft to the dazzling anime visuals, executed with exceptional care by the studio P.A. Works (who make their own first foray into theatrical-feature terrain with this production). Okada has some worthy talent at her side for MAQUIA, including character design Akihiko Yoshida (a veteran of over 20 years on the FINAL FANTASY franchise) and legendary composer Kenji Kawai (GHOST IN THE SHELL, RING, DEATH NOTE and more). Each of these precious threads is woven into an anime classic for the ages. – Rupert Bottenberg

Showings

Sat July 14, 2018
12:00 PM

Auditorium des diplômés de la SGWU (Théâtre Hall)