Mars Express is a 2023 French animated neo-noir science fiction film co-written and directed by Jérémie Périn.
| Mars Express | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jérémie Périn |
| Written by |
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| Produced by | Didier Creste |
| Starring |
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| Edited by | Lila Desiles |
| Music by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Gebeka Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
| Budget | €9 million[1] |
| Box office | $1.4 million[2] |
Synopsis edit
In 2200, Aline Ruby, a private detective, and Carlos Rivera, an android replica of her partner who died five years earlier, are sent to Earth to capture Roberta Williams, a robot-hacking criminal. However, back on Mars, Roberta's arrest warrant has disappeared and she is released.
A new investigation is then entrusted to the duo: to track down Jun Chow, a cybernetics student known for illegally jailbreaking androids who, like her roommate, has gone missing. Aline and Carlos will have to venture to the depths of Noctis, the main terrestrial establishment of Mars created thanks to the progress of robotics, and where humans and various forms of androids seem to coexist in harmony.
However, the city hides dark secrets, such as trafficking and clandestine computer labs. Meanwhile, activists try to free the robots from the security constraints that bind them to humans.
Voice cast edit
- Léa Drucker as Aline Ruby[3]
- Mathieu Amalric as Chris Royjacker[1]
- Daniel Njo Lobé as Carlos Rivera[1]
- Marie Bouvet as Roberta Williams[3]
- Sébastien Chassagne as Inspector Simon Gordaux[3]
- Marthe Keller as Beryl[3]
- Geneviève Doang as Jun Chow[3]
- Thomas Roditi as LEM
- Usul as the professor
Production edit
The film is an Everybody on Deck production.[3] It had a €9 million budget.[1]
Release edit
The film premiered in the Cinéma de la Plage section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival on 23 May 2023.[4] It also made it to the competitive slate of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.[5] It was released theatrically in France on 22 November 2023 by Gebeka Films.[6][7] GKIDS acquired the film's North American rights and released it on 3 May 2024 with both its original French language and an English dub.[8][9]
Home media edit
The film is set to be released by GKIDS in North America on both digital and Blu-ray formats on 18 June 2024.[10]
Reception edit
Critical response edit
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 23 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10.[11]
Rafael Motamayor of /Film rated the film 8 out of 10 points, writing it "works because even its most outlandish and complex sci-fi concept is grounded in human drama".[12]
Wendy Ide of Screen Daily deemed the film to be "striking and timely animation".[3]
Accolades edit
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumières Award | 22 January 2024 | Best Animated Film | Mars Express | Nominated | |
| Paris Film Critics Association Awards | 4 February 2024 | Best Animated Film | Won | ||
| International Cinephile Society | 11 February 2024 | Best Animated Film | Nominated | ||
| César Awards | 23 February 2024 | Best Animated Film | Nominated |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d Guedj, Phillipe (22 November 2023). "« Mars Express » : un réjouissant spectacle high-tech". Le Point (in French). Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Mars Express (2023)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ide, Wendy (12 June 2023). "'Mars Express': Annecy Review". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Cannes 2023 – Jour 7 : Pierre Niney et Michel Gondry, le vomi de Club Zero, Cotillard superstar". Première (in French). 23 May 2023. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Croll, Ben (11 June 2023). "'Mars Express' Director Jérémie Périn Mixes Mature Themes With Anime Influences in Noirish Sci-Fi Thriller". Variety. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Leffler, Rebecca (26 October 2023). "mk2 Films scores US, key international deals on animated sci-fi noir 'Mars Express' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Mars Express" (in French). Gebeka Films. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "GKIDS Acquires North American Rights to "Mars Express"". GKIDS. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (28 March 2024). "New Trailer: GKIDS Launches 'Mars Express' NorAm Mission May 3". Animation Magazine.
- ^ ""Mars Express" Comes to Blu-Ray" (Press release). GKIDS. 20 May 2024.
- ^ "Mars Express". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ Motamayor, Rafael (20 June 2023). "Mars Express Review: France's Answer To Ghost In The Shell Makes For Thrilling Sci-Fi Noir [Annecy 2023]". /Film. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (22 January 2024). "'Anatomy Of A Fall' & 'The Animal Kingdom' Take Top Prizes At France's Lumière Awards". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Mézière, Sandra (5 February 2024). "Palmarès des Paris Film Critics Awards 2024". In the Mood for Cinema (in French).
- ^ Stevens, Beth (11 February 2024). "2024 ICS Award Winners". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Barat, Mathilde (23 February 2024). "César 2024: Anatomie d'une chute sacré meilleur film. Le palmarès complet de la 49e cérémonie". Le Figaro (in French).
External links edit
- Mars Express at IMDb