The presentation of the Disney studios is traditionally a highlight of the Annecy Festival. This edition had a particular taste since the studio is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year; Jennifer Lee, artistic director of Walt Disney Animation Studios, presented the Disney Art Challenge prize to young French artists who bridge the gap between the past and the future of Mickey’s firm. WhileElementary by Peter Sohn (which will be released next Wednesday) is also screened.
“Our secret is to remain faithful to our tradition while seeking the artists of tomorrow. she explained. This is exactly what festival-goers felt when they discovered a short film bringing together the greatest Disney characters to celebrate this centenary. Once upon a time there was a studio brought tears to the eyes of the spectators before Jennifer Lee presents the first images of Wish – Asha and the lucky star. “We’re proud of our remakes and sequels, but we’re going back to original stories,” says Jennifer Lee.
A story of wishes
Asha, the heroine, wants to help people make their wishes come true in this new musical. She sings with the voice of Adriana DeBose, the youngest composer to have written songs for a Disney film. ” Wish is full of references to our classics like The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella Or Pinocchio, explains Jennifer Lee. It’s amazing how many Disney works where characters make a wish while thinking of a star. Star, an adorable little star is one of the finds of the first projected images. Asha finds out about it and should be able to help a lot of people that way. “Technical progress has allowed us to give more and more freedom to artists. Studio veterans and young talents can work in harmony and benefit from their ideas and experience,” she insists. This seems very successful in view of what has been presented.
“We hope that audiences past and present will be receptive to the film,” concluded Jennifer Lee. She will know if her lucky star has granted this wish on November 29, the date of the film’s release in France.