Curly Burly

Source: Nepenthe Film aps

‘Curly Burly’

EXCLUSIVE: Germany-based Sola Media has added Curly Burly, a hybrid live-action-animation family feature, to its sales slate ahead of next month’s American Film Market (AFM, November 11-16).

Rooted in Danish folklore, Curly Burly follows a mischievous small troll who proves that even the tiniest creatures can have the biggest adventures. 

Curly Burly lives safely underground on Bornholm with his family and fellow trolls, in a world full of rules, cave parties, and flying bats. One rule must never be broken: never go to the surface. When mysterious rumblings shake the underground world, Curly Burly sneaks above ground with his little sister Borra, embarking on a magical and dangerous adventure.

The underground troll world is animated, while the human world unfolds in live-action, creating a hybrid experience. A first image from the film is available, above.

The film is directed by Jan Rahbek (Marco Macaco, Superhelten Sprinter Galore) and written by Philip LaZebnik (Pocahontas, Mulan), Søren Frellesen, Toke Westmark Steensen, and Jan Rahbek, based on an original idea by producer Nina Lyng, who grew up on Bornholm.

Curly Burly is produced by Denmark’s Nepenthe Film in collaboration with Hydralab, the animation studio behind Dreambuilders. The film is supported by DFI, DR, Scanbox Entertainment, Sola Media, Den Vestdanske Filmpulje, NFTF, Bornholms Brand, and Brdr. E., S. & A. Larsen.

Producer Lyng, whose previous credits include The Shamer’s Daughter (2015) and The Shamer’s Daughter II: The Serpent Gift (2019), said: “Curly Burly captures something deeply Danish and timeless. He’s a mischievous, curious small troll with a big heart – just like the spirit of Bornholm itself. Rooted in Danish folklore and the tradition of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, this story connects generations in a magical way.”

Solveig Langeland, managing director of Sola Media, added: “A likable, daring small troll – curious and fearless – in a funny, beautifully animated hybrid film. We think audiences around the world will love it.”

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