MOOMINS on the Riviera

On Saturday, March 14th MOOMINS ON THE RIVIERA will have its US premiere at the New York International Children's Film Festival in New York, 60 years after Jansson's original comic strip class was first published in London's The Evening News. 

Inspired by her own visit to the Riviera with her mother, Jansson created Moomin on the Riviera, a charming tale which addresses universal aspects of life such as finding joy in small things, the value of cross-cultural understanding and the power of optimism.  This new hand-drawn animation feature is the first time there has been an audio visual adaptation of Jansson's original comic strip. 

The Moomins, Snorkmaiden and Little My, in search of adventures of their own, set sail for the glamorous Riviera. They arrive after a journey fraught with menacing storms and desert island dangers, Moominpappa (Nathaniel Parker) befriends an aristocrat and adapts a new name 'de Moomin', Snorkmaiden (Stephanie Winiecki) is dazzled by the attentions of a playboy, and Moomin (Russell Tovey) is torn between the simple life he feels comfortable with, and the luxurious movie star lifestyle that his beloved Snorkmaiden yearns to have.  An exasperated Moominmamma (Tracy Ann Oberman) retires to the relative calm of their trusty old boat to wait for her family to come to their senses.  For the very first time, the unity of the Moomins is threatened.

MOOMINS ON THE RIVIERA is a Finnish-French co-production, produced by Hanna Hemila at Handle Productions, and Xavier Picard at Pictak. Director   says, "My ambition is to entend the work of Tove Jansson without betraying it, all the while keeping in mind her thought: "Live in peace, plant potatoes and dream."

www.moominsontheriviera.com