The first fully animated computer-animated feature film from China, entitled Thru the Moebius Strip will make its commercial premiere in just a few weeks at a very important and unique animation festival. Having been under intense production over the past few years, Thru the Moebius Strip is a science fiction and adventure movie that will hopefully give the rest of the world’s animation fans, critics, and professionals something to think about the next time CG films are considered.

Thru the Moebius Strip turned a few heads when it debuted at the Cannes Film Festival last month, and when it comes to life at the First China Comic & Animation Contest held in Shenzhen in late July of 2005, this CG film hopes to do more than turn a few heads, but to change a few minds as well, from reluctant to inquiring. Produced by well-devoted animators and artists, and animated by a widely acclaimed digital media institute, Thru the Moebius Strip is expected to help raise the bar for domestic animation in China, as well as for three-dimensional animated feature films around the world.

Based on the science-fiction comic book and graphic novel releases by European artist Jean Giraud, the up and coming animated feature film Thru the Moebius Strip is the story of a young man’s journey through foreign worlds in search of something important to him unlike any other. Fourteen-year-old Jac is a rebellious and somewhat stubborn young man, unwilling to accept the sudden loss of his father. Jac’s determination and undying affection are what guide him all over the universe in search of his father. Simon Weir, Jac’s father, is a brilliant scientist who recently invented an intergalactic portal that allows people to go between planets. Thru the Moebius Strip follows Jac’s expedition to rescue his father from the clutches of giant medieval aliens, and the voyage the two must subsequently begin in order to return to their home, 27.2 million light years away.

Jac will make new friends, make new enemies, and come to learn more about himself through his journey around the universe like he would never expect. Science fiction animation fans may find Thru the Moebius Strip an intriguing film due to its outstanding conceptual artwork, from author Jean Giraud himself, and due also in part to the CG film’s confident animation. Assembled from a staff of approximately 400 individuals with a combined investment of 130 million Chinese Yuan (15.7 million US Dollars), Thru the Moebius Strip will have its commercial debut at the First China Comic & Animation Contest in Shenzhen from July 26th, 2005 to August 1st, 2005.

Thru the Moebius Strip was produced by the Institute of Digital Media Technology Ltd, which is located in Shenzhen, a city considered the center of the Chinese animation industry. The company owns 100% of the copyright to this fascinating new CG film, and considering that Thru the Moebius Strip is their first feature length film, the movie’s producers, investors, and creative directors are all very proud of their work.

Glenn Chaika is presently credited as the director of the CG film, while Raymond Neoh and Jun Aida are credited as the film’s executive producers. Voice actors involved in the project include Mark Hamill, Michelle Ruff, Jean Simmons, Chris Marquette, John DiMaggio, Candi Milo, and several other talented individuals. Thru the Moebius Strip is the culmination of an increasingly dynamic domestic animation industry in China, as well as the climax of several individuals’ goals and ambitions concerning the digital arts feature film industry.

Shenzhen Daily had the following to comment on the week planned for comics and animation in Shenzhen: “The week will showcase an array of activities including exhibitions, face-to-face meetings with animation masters from home and abroad, animation classes, animated film shows (two films per day), a cosplay competition where people act out cartoons, and an on-site painting competition at the Children’s Palace.”

“Organizers said the works in the competition represented the highest level of comics and animation produced by Chinese youth this year, and were expected to attract the attention of more than 800,000 Shenzhen students.”

Source: Animation Insider
Author: Aaron H. Bynum

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