A Talking dog, a boy genius and some cranky pirates are set to make a splash when Lucky and the Pirates drops anchor at the Cannes Animation Day on May 18.
New York-based Director Karen Goldfarb says the film was intended as a Valentine for her dog Lucky – and because he once told her he wanted To Be a Star.
Set in ancient Shanghai, the film tells the tale of a plucky Shih Tzu who must fend for himself after his mistress Chi-Yu is kidnapped from her castle. Along the way, he meets Leo, a lost boy living on the streets. Together they stow away on a pirate ship in search of adventure and his lost love.
Goldfarb’s first film: “Here’s Lookin’ at You, Kid” a short spoof of Casablanca which starred Mark Vincent, Kevin Winebold, Mary Sprague, Adam Ginsberg and Johnny Jackpot – was shown at Cannes’ Short Film Corner in 2014 and won an Award of Merit at the Best Shorts Contest in 2015.
This film also features the same cast, with Mark Vincent as the voice of Capt. Krikey, Kevin Winebold as Lucky, Mary Sprague as Chi-Yu, Adam Ginsberg as Smythe, and Johnny Jackpot as Smidget. It also introduces a new star: Orion Shi Maldonado, who is the voice of Leo, Boy Genius!
Jacque Temple and Majdhi Alghader round out the cast as Liang and the Merchant.
Winebold also wrote the film’s original music: “Lonely Pirate Song.” It’s visuals were created by Josh Pinker and Michael Ventura.
Director’s Statement
“The Chinese have an old saying: "It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.’ My translation: The world may be going to Hell in a Hand Basket -- but is it so terrible to want to bring a bit of laughter, color and joy to the equation? That's what I hope to do with this film. And if it says something about redemption of lost souls and how to fight a bully – even better.”
Goldfarb said she is working on a sequel: “The Promise: The Search for Chi-Yu” as well as a documentary about Holocaust survivor Helena Weinrauch: “Helena am Liben/Helena Alive.”
Contact: Karen Goldfarb
718-300-8222
karengoldfarb@aol.com
Lucky and the Pirates -- the Trailer from karen Goldfarb on Vimeo.
06.05.2016 | Cannes Market Dailies's blog
Cat. : FILM