Synopsis

“To be or not to be a ‘good’ immigrant, to live or not to live in a harmonious community is the core subject of this film. The other one deals with Medieval Islamic civilisation: impressive, compassionate, open. I wish to transfer this knowledge to all those rooted in this civilisation and all those who are not (although the ties are stronger than they think...). The only question is how to make use of it and how to enjoy it.” Michel Ocelot

Azur is a blond son of a nobleman, whose nanny and wet-nurse Janene has a dark-skinned son Asmar. The boys grow up together listening to her imaginative stories. Their favourite is the one of Djinn, the imprisoned fairy waiting for her prince. Azur’s father breaks this idyll sending Azur to school and throwing Asmar and his mother out in the street. Years later, Azur is a successful merchant and Asmar a member of the royal guards – both different, but both still dreaming of the beautiful Djinn – but she can belong to one only.

Michel Ocelot

Michel Ocelot (1943, France) spent his childhood in Guinea, his teenage years in Anjou and lives in Paris. After studying art, he has dedicated his whole career to animated films and personal creation. Since the very beginning, all his works have been based on his own screenplays and graphic designs. He has directed a number of animated series and short films, works which helped establish his name on the festival circuit and in professional circles (for six years Ocelot has been President of ASIFA). Animafest made a comprehensive retrospective of his work in 2009 presenting his films, all immersed in a distinct atmosphere and aesthetics owing to the technique used – silhouette animation. He directed feature films Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998), Princes and Princesses (2000), Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005) and Azur and Asmar: The Prince’s Quest (2006) among others.