Moomins on the Riviera received its world premiere in London
The English version of the film stars Russell Tovey as Moomin, Nathaniel Parker as Moominpappa and Tracy Ann Oberman as Moominmamma. Moomins on the Riviera is the first animated feature based on Tove Jansson's comic strips on the Moomins.
In the film the Moomins, Snorkmaiden and Little My are looking for adventures of their own and sail to the Riviera. After a journey fraught with menacing storms and desert island dangers Moomins finally get to the paradise. Snorkmaiden is dazzled by the attentions of a playboy. Moomin learns that jealousy’s sting is the most painful of all. Moominpappa befriends an aristocrat and adopts the name ‘de Moomin’. Moominmamma retires to the relative calm of their trusty old boat, to wait for her family to come to their senses. The unity of the Moomins is threatened.
Award winnig British actor Russell Tovey plays Moomin, Nathaniel Parker and Trace Ann Oberman play Moominpappa and Moominmamma respectively. Stephanie Winiecki makes her first major movie role as Snorkmaiden. Little My is played by Ruth Gibson.
The film received its premiere in Helsinki on Friday 10th of October. The world premiere was in London on the next day. The film was shown in Hackney Picture House as part of BFI London Film Festival program. The film will be displayed next time in London on Saturday 18th October.
The film is based on Tove Jansson's original comic strip: Moomin on the Riviera. In 2010 Finnish film producer-director Hanna Hemilä and French animation film director-producer Xavier Picard joined forces and collaborated on developing Moomins on the Riviera. The film is directed by Xavier Picard and produced by Hanna Hemilä, who is also co-director.
Novelist and artist Tove Jansson began publishing the Moomin comic strips in 1954. The target audience for this social and political satire was adults. The world’s largest newspaper at that time, London’s The Evening News began publishing the Moomin comic strips, which reached up to 20 million readers daily in over 40 countries. The strips were published for 20 years. All in all over 800 strips were produced.
Moomins on the Riviera is the first animated feature based on the comic strips. The film celebrates the 100th anniversary of Tove Jansson's birth.
More information:
Moomins on the Riviera Official Webpage
BFI London Film Festival