Mars Express (film)

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Mars Express
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJérémie Périn
Written by
  • Jérémie Périn
  • Laurent Sarfati
Produced by
  • Didier Creste
  • Gaëlle Bayssière
Starring
Edited byLila Desiles
Music by
Production
companies
  • Everybody on Deck
  • Je Suis Bien Content
  • EV.L Prod
  • Plume Finance
  • France 3 Cinéma
  • Shine Conseils
  • Gebeka Films
  • Amopix
Distributed byGebeka Films
Release dates
  • 23 May 2023 (2023-05-23) (Cannes)
  • 22 November 2023 (2023-11-22) (France)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryFrance
LanguageFrench
Budget€9 million[1]
Box office$1.3 million[2]

Mars Express is a 2023 French animated neo-noir science fiction film co-written and directed by Jérémie Périn.

Synopsis[edit]

The animated film follows Aline, a police officer investigating the murder of a hacker, amidst a society where humans and various forms of androids coexist. Androids, some disguised with human-like skin and others in metallic forms, seek freedom from human control, a theme that echoes through the film's rich narrative landscape. Aline's partner, Carlos Rivera, is an android with human memories, adding depth to the discourse on identity and autonomy. The plot escalates with the introduction of a new code that could liberate androids by convincing them to leave Mars, though it's revealed as another form of control.

The story also touches on everyday human struggles, such as alcoholism, humorously illustrated by self-locking liquor bottles for those registered as sober. The film mixes fast-paced action and philosophical depth, culminating in a dramatic confrontation under a malfunctioning dome sky, symbolizing the collapsing boundaries between human and machine.

"Mars Express" combines action, mystery, and reflective commentary on technology and humanity, presented in a visually distinctive style that merges hand-drawn characters with digital backgrounds.

Voice cast[edit]

Production[edit]

The film is an Everybody on Deck production.[3] It had a €9 million budget.[1]

Release[edit]

The film premiered in the Cinéma de la Plage section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival on 23 May 2023.[4] It also made it to the competitive slate of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.[5] It was released theatrically in France on 22 November 2023 by Gebeka Films.[6][7] GKIDS acquired the film's North American rights and released it on 3 May 2024 with both its original French language and an English dub.[8][9]

Reception[edit]

Critical response[edit]

Rafael Motamayor of /Film rated the film 8 out of 10 points, writing it "works because even its most outlandish and complex sci-fi concept is grounded in human drama".[10]

Wendy Ide of Screen Daily deemed the film to be "striking and timely animation".[3]

Accolades[edit]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Lumières Award 22 January 2024 Best Animated Film Mars Express Nominated
[11]
Paris Film Critics Association Awards 4 February 2024 Best Animated Film Won
[12]
International Cinephile Society 11 February 2024 Best Animated Film Nominated
[13]
César Awards 23 February 2024 Best Animated Film Nominated
[14]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Guedj, Phillipe (22 November 2023). "« Mars Express » : un réjouissant spectacle high-tech". Le Point (in French). Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Mars Express (2023)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Ide, Wendy (12 June 2023). "'Mars Express': Annecy Review". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Cannes 2023 – Jour 7 : Pierre Niney et Michel Gondry, le vomi de Club Zero, Cotillard superstar". Première (in French). 23 May 2023. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  5. ^ Croll, Ben (11 June 2023). "'Mars Express' Director Jérémie Périn Mixes Mature Themes With Anime Influences in Noirish Sci-Fi Thriller". Variety. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  6. ^ Leffler, Rebecca (26 October 2023). "mk2 Films scores US, key international deals on animated sci-fi noir 'Mars Express' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Mars Express" (in French). Gebeka Films. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  8. ^ "GKIDS Acquires North American Rights to "Mars Express"". GKIDS. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  9. ^ "You are being redirected..." www.animationmagazine.net.
  10. ^ Motamayor, Rafael (20 June 2023). "Mars Express Review: France's Answer To Ghost In The Shell Makes For Thrilling Sci-Fi Noir [Annecy 2023]". /Film. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  11. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (22 January 2024). "'Anatomy Of A Fall' & 'The Animal Kingdom' Take Top Prizes At France's Lumière Awards". Deadline Hollywood.
  12. ^ Mézière, Sandra (5 February 2024). "Palmarès des Paris Film Critics Awards 2024". In the Mood for Cinema (in French).
  13. ^ Stevens, Beth (11 February 2024). "2024 ICS Award Winners". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  14. ^ Barat, Mathilde (23 February 2024). "César 2024: Anatomie d'une chute sacré meilleur film. Le palmarès complet de la 49e cérémonie". Le Figaro (in French).

External links[edit]


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