PRINCESS
Anders Morgenthaler's debut animated feature came careening into audiences on the opening night of Director's Fortnight at Cannes just months ago.
August, a former missionary priest, returns home to Copenhagen when his sister Christina dies. Known as The Princess, Christina was a celebrated porn star - her death the nadir of a downward spiral of drugs and fading ‘celebrity'.
Forcibly taking custody of Christina's daughter, August is gradually enraged to discover that the five-year-old Mia has been exposed to abuse. This spurs him to confront the porn company that fashioned Christina a star, demanding they destroy all footage of his sister in the hope of obliterating her past. When they fail to comply, August exacts a bloody reckoning on his enemies.
Adopting a distinctive animation style heavily influenced by harder edged Japanese anime, Princess also features moments of grainy live action for flashbacks and video footage. Acerbic and deeply troubling, this is a caustic, blood-spattered attack on the porn industry.
Contains scenes that may offend.
D Anders Morgenthaler P Sarita Christensen S Anders Morgenthaler, Mette Heeno Dist Madman L Danish w/English subtitles
TD 35mm/2006/80mins
Anders Morgenthaler was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1972. Princess (2006) is his feature film directing debut.