Nov 05, 2015 together with the gospels of lindisfarne and the book of durrow, i would say that the book of kells is one of the greatest contributions to medieval art ever to come out of the british isles. He is enthralled buy the scribes that are creating the beautiful art work in the margins of the bible called the book of kells. Mar 05, 2010 the secret of kells, directed by tomm moore, concerns the book of kells, a medieval illuminated manuscript that ranks among the most important artifacts of irish civilization. Acclaimed independent irish studio cartoon saloon will be launching their new film art book designing the secret of kells at san diego comiccon, as well as presenting neverbeforeseen clips from. Tomm moore was born on january 7, 1977 in newry, northern ireland. The secret of kells original title or brendan and the secret of kells is an irishbelgianfrench coproduction directed by tomm moore at cartoon saloon, the studio behind skunk fu a fictionalized version of the history of the book of kells, the story focuses on brendan, a young monk wanting to join his fellow monks in working on illuminating texts. A fictional and magical story about the origins of the book of kells. You should look for more projects from cartoon saloon, the irish animation company behind the secret of kells and song of the sea.
Secret of kells takes on animation big boys in oscar. The book of kells is one of the finest and most famous, and also one of the latest, of a group of manuscripts in what is known as the insular style, produced from the late 6th through the early 9th centuries in monasteries in ireland, scotland and england and in continental monasteries with hibernoscottish or anglosaxon foundations. Cartoon saloon cartoon saloon irish animation studio. Inspired by irelands most precious artifact, the book of kells a stunningly beautiful medieval manuscript containing the. The book of kells animation gorgeous character design from cartoon saloons incredible film the secret of kells. The book of kells is a gospel book, containing the four accounts of christs life that form the new testament of the bible. Which movies are visually similar to the secret of kells. It has a rather unique animation style and is visually stunning. With as many disparate styles of animation there are in the world, between movies and television programs and the internet, its still impossible to say, kells is just like that.
And of course, it delivers an aesthetically compelling style of animation, a world inspired by the book of kells. You havent been to ireland unless youve seen the book of kells. Tomm moores christians, pagans, fairy girls and beasts the. The secret of kells is a 2009 frenchbelgianirish animated fantasy film animated by cartoon saloon that premiered on 8 february 2009 at the 59th berlin international film festival. More information about the secret of kells 2009 on imdb. Check out the secret of kells clips at awntv the secret of kells has just grabbed an annie nomination for best animated feature and tomm moore, cofounder of cartoon saloon in kilkenny, ireland, describes how he brought this lovely and magical 2d movie to the screen. Young brendan lives in the abbey of kells, a remote medieval outpost under siege from raiding barbarians. Mar 03, 2010 he began working on the secret of kells while studying animation in college, driven by an interest in history and particularly in the ornate graphic style of the real book of kells. Moore illuminates the secret of kells animation world network.
The secrets behind the creation of irelands lavish illustrated manuscript the book of kells are revealed in this exquisitely animated feature. The book was then sent to dublin for safekeeping and later presented to trinity college in 1661, where it has remained ever since. Steeped in irish folklore, the movie includes scenes of barbarian invaders sweeping through towns, terrorizing and killing people with their swords and axes as they go. The secret of kells is a 2009 frenchbelgianirish animated fantasy film animated by cartoon saloon that premiered on 8 february 2009 at the 59th berlin. The aspect of the secret of kells thats most noteworthy is the visuals. The animated story of the boy behind the famed book of kells.
What inspired you to make a movie about the legendary book of kells. The book of kells is to dublin what the mona lisa is to paris and the sistine chapel ceiling is to rome. The idea was to look at the book of kells and medieval art in general and to try and translate that into a style that would suit 2d animation. The book of kells contains the four gospels in latin based on the vulgate text which st jerome completed in 384ad, intermixed with readings from the earlier old latin translation. This unexpected find has quickly become one of my favorite movies. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else.
Into the spiderverse redefined what it meant to be a comic book movie and what it meant to be an animated movie. This is a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of covid19. The book of kells was kept at the abbey even after it was dissolved in the 12th century and turned into a parish church until oliver cromwells army were stationed in kells in 1654. Tomm moore, born 7 january 1977 is an irish illustrator, comics artist and filmmaker. The book of kells is a beautifully illustrated manuscript codex of the latin text of gospels. What does this possibly have to do with the secret of kells, one of this years oscar nominees for best animated feature. Monks from the original monastery founded by st columba also set up other monastic communities including. The secret of kells what is this remarkable animated feature. The secret of kells original title or brendan and the secret of kells is an irishbelgianfrench coproduction directed by tomm moore at cartoon saloon, the studio behind skunk fu. This film is true to the mythology and history behind it, does not warp it like disney animations do. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript that is basically an early illustrated bible, which includes the four gospels and the life of jesus christ. It is thought to have been produced around the 9th century, when irish art and culture flourished, and is the most lavishly decorated gospels of this time.
The animation s tale revolves around one of irelands national treasures book of kells, a medieval illuminated manuscript that ranks among the most important artefacts of irish civilisation. Animations from the nerve centre digital book of kells project, which has seen more than 900 school children in derrylondonderry working on colmcille themed animations. Jan 31, 2018 the book of kells is one of the top attractions for visitors to ireland. The book of kells on film in 2009 an animated film was released called the secret of kells. The secret of kells is a stunningly beautiful animated feature for families that celebrates the potent melding of creativity and faith. Moore illuminates the secret of kells animation world. You enter a room with large poster size copies of the book of kells and videos explaining more about it. Jun 01, 2017 the chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript.
A fictionalized version of the history of the book of kells. The animation takes its style from the drawings in the book of kells, which i think is creative and beautiful. His first feature film, the secret of kells, was nominated for an academy award for best animated feature film on 2 february 2010. Something uniquely irish, but drawing on the traditions of american and japanese animation.
The secret of kells what is this remarkable animated. This animated film gives a fictionalized account of the creation of the book of kells, an illuminated manuscript of the bible which has since become an irish national treasure. Animated by irish studio cartoon saloon, the secret of kells is meant to directly resemble the famous manuscript its based on. A young boy in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids is beckoned to adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives with an ancient book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. Apr 26, 2016 the book of kells isnt the only illuminated manuscript in the socalled insular style. For irish people, it represents a sense of pride, a tangible link to a positive time in irelands past, reflected through its unique art. Its short, so it sucks perhaps the most common complaint with the film. The secret of kells critics consensus beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, the secret of kells hearkens back to animation s golden age with an enchanting tale inspired by irish mythology.
The book of kells is an ancient manuscripta book written out by hand long before printing was invented. The first time i saw an illustration from the book of kells, in an art history class, i fell in love. After a viking raid, the book was moved to kells, ireland, sometime in the 9th century. The art alone is astonishing in its faithfulness to the book of kells itself. Set in 8th century ireland, it is beautifully animated, taking cues from ancient illuminated manuscripts and gaelic folk art.
Parents need to know that the secret of kells is an oscarnominated animated movie thats too intense for preschoolers and even young elementary schoolaged kids. Dating back to 800ad the book of kells is considered the oldest book in the world as well as one of the most famous books. Old fangs somewhere down the line the ledge end of phil i can also reco. The art style is like moving illustrations from a book of english fairy tales, and it constantly changes from scene to scene, offering new things to see while keeping the same basic theme. The secret of kells is an irishfrenchbelgianbritish animated feature film that revolves around the making of the famous book of kells, an illustrated irish illustrated bible of the middle ages through the eyes of the young monkchild brendan. Originally released in ireland, one of its countries of origin, the secret of kells story is intertwined with the book of kells. Find highquality book of kells stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. One day a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. It is something all irish children learn about in school, is regularly discussed as part of irish history and art, and is generally considered to be the countrys most prized possession. Not rated 1h 15min animation, adventure, family 22 june 2016 usa. Secret of kells takes on animation big boys in oscar races. It is a very sweet story about a young boy living in an abby in ireland at the time of the viking raids. The old library and the book of kells open seven days a week for visitorswe hope you have a chance to be one.
Three time academy award nominated for its animated feature films. He is cofounder of cartoon saloon, an animation studio and production company, based in kilkenny, ireland. I recently watched the secret of kells and fell in love with the simple art style of the film, and there was certainly no compromise on the storytelling or animation quality. Here are ten things you should know about this ancient masterpiece. With the threat of a viking invasion on their irish monastery, an abbot is too busy overseeing the building of a great wall to make a meaningful connection with his young nephew brendan, who finds. Two tiny gems kisses and prince of broadway, two offbeat animated films a town. Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, the secret of kells hearkens back to animations golden age with an. The secret of kells is a 2009 animated feature movie by irish animation studio cartoon saloon the font used for the movie title on the poster is probably baldur. He is known for his work on song of the sea 2014, the secret of kells 2009 and the prophet 2014. We wish to inform you that the book of kells and old library exhibition will temporarily close to visitors until further notice.
Cartoon saloon the secret of kells animated feature film. The academy award nomination for the secret of kells hints at the films brilliance. Song of the sea director tomm moore discusses the future of handdrawn animation and the magic of irish folklore in the wake of his second oscar nomination. The future of the precious book is in jeopardy and it falls to brendan, young nephew of the abbot cellach, to save the day. Tags animation, family, fantasy language english, irish director tomm moore, nora twomey. Cartoon saloon is an irish animation studio based in kilkenny, ireland. It contains the words of the four gospels of the bible and is decorated with many beautiful pictures called illuminations.
We easily identify with brendan and his quest to help complete the book in the face of many setbacks and troubles. Two tiny gems kisses and prince of broadway, two offbeat animated films a town called panic and the secret of kells, and a pair of proficient hollywood entertainments unstoppable and the town helped brighten this year. You can sort of hedge around, with its kind of this. The greatest achievement of irish medieval art, the book of kells, was formerly held to be earlier than the lindisfarne gospels which are dated approximately from 700 ce but is now generally assigned to the late eighth or early ninth century. Pangur ban from the secret of kells the secret of kells.
Described by the dfcc as a lavish animation the secret of kells is a powerful, moving, and humorous tale of the adventure, action and danger that await twelveyearold brendan, who must fight vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary book of kells. The oscarnominated animated feature the book of kells harks back to an earlier style of drawing not predigital animation, but illumination. What this means is that the illustrations of a book, often a bible or the gospels, are decorated with gold or silver leaf in addition to vibrant. This beautifullyproduced feature relates a mystical tale of the making of the book. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. It is one of the few precious survivals of an influential tradition of book production that flourished in the irish church in the eighth and ninth centuries. Suggest me movie is a free webbased film recommendation service. This beautiful slipcased book has fullsized photographs in color of every page in the original book of kells, plus interesting and explanative text, and lots of closeups of the fantastic interlace designs. He began working on the secret of kells while studying animation in college, driven by an interest in history and particularly in the ornate graphic style of the real book of kells. The film of the book one of the biggest surprises in recent oscar history was surely the elevation of an unknown frenchbelgianirish coproduction, made by the littleknown irish studio cartoon saloon, into the ranks of best animated feature nominees this past spring. Secret of kells was directed by tomm moore and nora twomey and voice actors include brendan gleeson, christen mooney, mick laffy, michael mcgrath and evan mcguire. Ireland and the book of kells history course futurelearn.
The book of kells isnt the only illuminated manuscript in the socalled insular style. This beautiful irish animation provides an imaginative origin story for the book of kells. Interview tomm moore talks the secret of kells kristy puchko october 5, 2010 he secret of kells is an independent animated film out of ireland, that broke into the us as a surprise pick for the 2009 academy awards, beating out hayao miyazakis ponyo for a best animated feature film nod. The work is the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts for the intricacy, detail, and majesty of the illustrations. Designed by patrick michael murphy, baldur is an uncial type with a decided celtic feel. It went into wide release in belgium and france on 11 february, and ireland on 3 march. Apr 08, 2010 the secret of kells is a perfectly unique animated film, literally unlike anything else i can think to name. And, as mentioned above, the lavish detail the animators paid to the book of kells is gorgeous, and looks like it could easily be an excerpt from one of the pages. Check out the official the secret of kells 2009 trailer starring brendan gleeson.
The book of kells is located at the trinity college in dublin and it is open for public visits, most times the book of kells contains the four gospels of the christian scriptures written in black, red, purple, and yellow ink in an insular majuscule script, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and concordances of gospel passages. This is one of the most gorgeous and visually inventive movies ive ever seen. I find this animation stunning the secret of kells renew your love of traditional animation. The book of kells was probably produced in a monastery on the isle of iona, scotland, to honor saint columba in the early 8th century. Tags animation, family, fantasy language english, irish director tomm moore, nora twomey cast evan mcguire, brendan gleeson, mick lally. This decision has been made to protect the health and safety of our visitors and the university community. May 19, 2015 2010 academy award nominee, best animated feature. Mar 16, 2010 the idea was to look at the book of kells and medieval art in general and to try and translate that into a style that would suit 2d animation. Thanks to jerry beck for this photo from comiccon of the designing the secret of kells books arriving at comic con. Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, the secret of kells hearkens back to animations golden age with an enchanting tale inspired by irish mythology. Karl cohen is president of asifasf and teaches animation history at sf state university. The book of kells is inches wide and 10 inches high.
In tomm moores 2d animated fantasy film, the secret of kells 2009, the irish culture is explored in various ways including the art direction, religionfolk lore, and history. It was stolen in the 11th century, at which time its cover was torn off and it was thrown into a ditch. Here is a film about a young and very brave medieval monk named brendan, a sacred book, a storied monastery, a fairy girl, an alarming creature and a forest containing little nuts that make brilliant. Given its a film that is about 75 minutes one will be shocked by the abrupt ending that never materialize the true power of the book of kells holds. Magic, fantasy, and celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in a sweeping story about the power of. The gospel texts are prefaced by other texts, including canon tables, or concordances of gospel passages common to two or more of the evangelists. The page is rich in multilayered symbolism intended to engage its monastic audience with a range of eucharistic and christological themes. The secret of kells tells the story of the construction of this mythical book from the eyes of a kid named brendan and his version of the world, his thoughts while growing, the people he meets and all the knowledge and experiences he acquires. Apr 27, 2009 beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, the secret of kells hearkens back to animation s golden age with an enchanting tale inspired by irish mythology. The not rated rating is latest news about the secret of kells, starring brendan gleeson, mick lally, evan mcguire and directed by tomm moore, nora twomey. The 2009 animated film the secret of kells tells a fictional story of the creation of the book of kells by an elderly monk aidan and his young apprentice brendan, who struggle to work on the manuscript in the face of destructive viking raids. Come down and get one signed today or any day until sunday. Featuring a plot heavily inspired by irish mythology, it tells the story of the viking invasion of ireland and the creation of the book of kells, an irish national treasure.