Finnish animation studio Anima Vitae is not afraid of being without ghosts. Or a monster.
The company behind the successful trilogy about Nico the Reindeer – “Nico – Beyond Northern Lights,” sells around 3 million tickets worldwide, but develops the 3D animation “Eek! Ghosts!” And then there’s a “trash monster.”
Based on Mauri Kunnas’ beloved book, “Eek! Ghosts!” follows two trick-or-treat kids who end up with a party hosted by real ghosts and monsters. Oops.
“The family loves these stories because of their warmth and humor. The original IP is really strong. The book is read in Finland, Europe and even Japan,” said Antoti Haikara, CEO of Anima Vitae.
With tribute to Kunnas’ “rich illustrations,” the details and jokes were found to be challenging at first.
“It took time to turn this into animation. We are currently working with Mauri on multiple short projects, and we have found a way to bring the spirit of the book to the film and capture the sparks of his original work.”
Haikara added: “It’s important to create a ‘safe excitement’ for the family and tell meaningful stories, and Mauri’s story already has these attributes. They can just be stupid, but they often look up rather than actually being able to learn something. ”
The same can be said about “trash monsters,” but it also approaches the horizon.
In the film, the girl accidentally creates a monster from the garbage. Soon, she becomes friends with him and is able to lean against him even when she faces great dangers on her grandmother’s island.
“We want to find a partner in Southeast Asia because there is a story in the region,” he emphasized. The original story, “Trash Monsters,” comes from Bali-based Australian author-producer Joseph Taylor.
Scandinavian stories often combine darkness with humor. For Anima Vitae, she feels that “it’s natural to follow this path.”
“It all makes sure you never underestimate your audience. Kids need to face many of these themes as they grow up. We want them to experience them through our films in a fun environment,” Haikara said. They recently premiered “The Battle” in Annessy. The film will be released in the US with the participation of Impossible Dream Entertainment and the Fithian Group theatrical distribution units.
Director and scriptwriter Kari Juusonen is in charge of the “Nico” films and is working on story development for both projects. Screenwriter Leo Villette worked on “Ghost,” with art director Micco Pitokanen (“Nico” and “Freak”) overseeing both titles.
The success of “Niko” allowed the company to experiment a bit, especially while “testing the boundaries of which content can be generated in the family field.”
“At the same time, we need to be aware of our audience. Our films are only important if the audience is watching them. We need to be able to provide them with a great experience in their family, in the cinema or at home,” he pointed out.
“(In Anima Vitae) we’ve been developing a style that’s not surreal. It’s cinematic. I don’t think animation is about the visual world, and it’s a downgraded copy of it. We shouldn’t continue to add pixels to the screen.”
“An animated films are more identifiable and leave more impressions if they have a stylized look. If there is style, it’s a statement that won’t age anytime soon.”
The Finnish film industry is currently facing sudden cuts, but Haikara has not yet given up.
“We’ve been around for 25 years and have seen a lot of mayhem on the roads. It’s always worrying, but your only option is to find a way to get through the stormy seas. So far, we’ve been lucky,” he said.
“We have always prioritized sustainability and long-term development, which has led us to make more long-term choices. We are trying to see opportunities instead of threats. We are stubborn.”
‘Eek! ghost! ”
Doghill Productions / Otava
