The first-ever animated film in Manx Gaelic is to be a major feature at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France next week.
Caarjyn as Fenee (Friends and Heroes - in English) will be shown on Thursday next week in the Auditorium du Cercle St Louis.
The unique Manx translation of the award-winning TV series is the culmination of a five-year project, only made possible with the help of many local Manx speakers on the island, who became voice-actors for the cartoon characters in the film.
‘This is “yindyssagh erskyn towse” (fantastic above all measure) and is a real breakthrough for Manx Gaelic (Gaelg),’ said Adrian Cain, Manx language officer for the Manx Heritage Foundation.
‘Each programme features a full Manx soundtrack as well as English and Manx sub‐titles, making a fantastic teaching and learning resource and helping give Manx Gaelic a much higher profile both on the island and internationally.’
Each episode of Friends and Heroes is set in the first century AD and follows the adventures of two children, Macky and Portia. As they engage in countless escapades and fight for justice across the Roman world, they share the timeless stories of the Bible and learn lessons that help them through many trials and tribulations. Each episode uses a combination of traditional hand‐drawn and stunning computer generated animation to bring the stories to life.
Caarjyn as Fenee officially launched last month as part of the annual Yn Chruinnaght festival, held on the Isle of Man.
All 13 episodes (more than five hours) of the first series are available in Manx in a four-DVD set at £20.
The Festival Interceltique de Lorient, or Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient, is an annual Celtic festival, located in the city of Lorient, Brittany, France.
Founded in 1971, this annual festival takes place in the heart of the city every August and is dedicated to the cultural traditions of the Celtic nations, highlighting Celtic music and dance and also including other arts such as painting, photography, theatre, film, sculpture, traditional artisan as well as sport and gastronomy. To find out more about the festival go to http://www.festival-interceltique.com