Four Souls of Coyote

Four Souls of Coyote
Promotional release poster
HungarianKojot négy lelke
Directed byÁron Gauder
Written by
  • Géza Bereményi
  • Áron Gauder
Produced byRéka Temple
StarringFred Tatasciore
Edited byÁron Gauder
Music by
Animation byZsolt Baumgartner
Color processColor
Production
company
Cinemon Entertainment
Distributed byVertigo Media
Release date
  • 16 March 2023 (2023-03-16) (Hungary)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryHungary
LanguageEnglish

Four Souls of Coyote (Hungarian: Kojot négy lelke) is a 2023 Hungarian animated adventure drama film directed by Áron Gauder, who co-wrote the film with Géza Bereményi. The film, set in the present day, shows Native American protesters confronting the crew of an oil pipeline project, just down the hill from the land of their ancestors, and highlights the pressing need to live in harmony with the environment.[1] It was released in Hungarian cinemas on 16 March 2023 by Vertigo Media.[2][3]

Four Souls of Coyote was selected as the Hungarian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.[4] On December 7, it appeared in the eligible list for consideration for the 2024 Oscars,[5] but it did not make it to the shortlist.[6]

Story outline

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The film has tagline: "Nothing is eternal but the Earth and the mountains".

The film is set in the present day, with a scenario where Native American protesters confront the crew of an oil pipeline project, located near their ancestral land. The grandfather shares an ancient tale of their Creation myth, reminding humans that the challenges facing humanity are universal and that they need to find their place in the great circle of creation.

The story highlights that humans are just a small part of creation, and that destroying Earth because we think we are special is self-damaging. The story is a clarion call to act, to correct course before it's too late.

The story filled with adventures featuring animals, magic, hunger, greed, and the sacred circle of all creations, gives us hope that it is not too late to save Earth.

Voice cast

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English

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  • Lorne Cardinal for Old Man Creator/Grandpa
  • Diontae Black for Coyote
  • Stephanie Novak for woman (16–50 years old)
  • Danny Kramer for man (16–50 years old)/Sanders
  • Priscilla Landham for Mataoka
  • David Mattle for Boy (2–9 years old)
  • Lily Rose Silver for Girl (2–9 years old)
  • Bill Farmer for Duck/Racoon
  • Cle Bennett for Buffalo/ Commander/Wolf
  • Bob Klein for Eagle/Chancellor/CEO
  • John Bentley for Lightning/Mountain lion/Grandson
  • Fred Tatasciore for Bear/ Captain/ Lawyer/ Antelope /Opossum
  • Karin Anglin for Gloria

Production

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Áron Gauder began working on the film in 2017 with Cinemon and producer Réka Temple.[7][8] In February 2022, first photos from the animated film showing the creation story of the Indians were published.[9] By May 2022, 95% animation was completed.[10] The film was shot in 2D animation with audio in 5.1/stereo format.[1]

Music

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The music and songs are composed by Joanne Shenandoah, Mariee Siouthe, Session Voices, Ulali, and Northern Cree.[1]

Release

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The film was released in Hungary on 16 March 2023.[11] In April, it competed in Arizona International Film Festival and was screened on 28 April 2023.[12] It was also selected at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in Feature competition, where it won Jury Award[13] and at the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival, where it won Golden Goblet for Best Animation Film on 18 June 2023.[14][15] At the Kecskemét Animation Film Festival it was screened on 25 June as winner of Grand Prize.[16][17]

The film will be celebrated at the Hungarian Film Festival of Los Angeles, where it will be screened on October 28, 2023.[18] It will open the Red Nation Film Festival on 3 November 2023.[19]

It was reported on 6 June 2023, that Gebeka International, a France based sales company, has taken the sales rights of the film.[20]

Reception

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Wendy Ide review for ScreenDaily gave positive views and opined, "With its emphasis on mythic storytelling and its elegant, stylised graphic approach, the film could connect with a similar audience to that of Cartoon Saloon’s forays into Irish folkloric fantasy: The Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells and Wolfwalkers." Ide felt that by framing the beauty of nature in every frame and "using a striking blend of 2D and 3D animation and a strong graphic style pleasingly reminiscent of the work of mid-century artist Charley Harper, the film is a timely reminder of the importance of living harmoniously with the natural world."[21] Fabien Lemercier reviewing for Cineuropa highlighted the theme of the film with the quote placed at the beginning of the film, "Only when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realise that we can't eat money." Concluding Lemercier wrote, "Four Souls of Coyote is both simple and subtly sophisticated, both narratively and visually," Lemercier added, "[it is] a mystical ode to nature that rightly reminds us that 'man does not weave the web of life. He is only a strand of it'".[22]

Accolades

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In addition to the selection of the film as the Hungarian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards, it won Golden Goblet Award for Best Animation Film at the Shanghai International Film Festival.[23]

Award Date Category Recipient Result Ref.
Arizona International Film Festival 28 April 2023 Special Jury Award for Innovative Animation Four Souls of Coyote Won [12]
Třeboň Anifilm 17 May 2023 The Liberec Region Audience Award Won [24]
New Media Film Festival 5 June 2023 Grand Prize Won [25]
Annecy International Animation Film Festival 17 June 2023 Jury Award Won [13][26]
Cristal for a Feature Film Nominated
Shanghai International Film Festival 18 June 2023 Golden Goblet Award for Best Animation Film Won [14]
Kecskemét Animation Film Festival 25 June 2023 Grand Prize Won [16]
Audience Award Won
Best European Feature Film Won
Annie Awards February 17, 2024 Best Animated Feature — Independent Nominated [27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Four Souls of Coyote". Four Souls of Coyote. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Kojot négy lelke animáció" [Four Souls of Coyote animation]. National Film Institute (in Hungarian). 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Four Souls of Coyote". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  4. ^ Lodderhose, Diana (8 September 2023). "Oscars: Hungary Selects Climate Change Animation 'Four Souls Of Coyote' For International Film Category". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  5. ^ Clayton Davis (7 December 2023). "Academy Announces 288 Eligible Titles for Animated, Documentary and International Feature Oscar Races". Variety. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  6. ^ "96th Oscars Shortlists Announced for 10 Categories". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 21 December 2023. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  7. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (27 October 2022). "Hungary's Cinemon Teases 'Four Souls of Coyote' Movie Inspired by Native American Mythology". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Four Souls of Coyote, Cinemon Entertainment". Cinemon. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  9. ^ "A Nyócker után az indiánokról készít filmet Gauder Áron" [After Nyócker, Áron Gauder makes a film about Indians]. 24.hu. 21 February 2022. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  10. ^ Denes Varga (7 May 2022). "Production: Áron Gauder Works on Animated Film on Native American Creation". FilmNewEurope. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Kojot négy lelke - Bár minden évben érkezneegy ilyen magyar animációs film" [The four souls of a coyote - Although there would be a Hungarian animated film like this every year]. Roboraptor (in Hungarian). 22 March 2023. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Four Souls of Coyote". Arizona International Film Festival. 14 November 2022. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  13. ^ a b Goodfellow, Melanie (27 April 2023). "Annecy Unveils 2023 Competition Line-Ups & First Details Of Studio Sneak Peek Presentations". Deadline. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  14. ^ a b Patrick Frater (18 June 2023). "Japan's 'Yoko' Wins Golden Goblet Prize at Shanghai Film Festival". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  15. ^ Patrick Brzeski (29 May 2023). "Shanghai Film Festival Unveils 2023 Competition Selection (Featuring No U.S. Movies)". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Thr 16th KAFF Prizes were Awarded". Kecskemét Animation Film Festival. 25 June 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Belgium Is Guest of Honor at 16th Kecskemét Animation Film Festival". Hungary Today. 20 June 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  18. ^ Christopher Vourlias (22 October 2023). "Hungarian Film Festival of Los Angeles Brings the Best of Magyar Cinema to American Audiences". Variety. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Four Souls of Coyote". Red Nation International Film Festival. 26 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  20. ^ Melanie Goodfellow (5 June 2023). "Gebeka Int'l Boards Annecy Competition Title 'Four Souls Of Coyote' Inspired By Native American Creation Myth". Deadline. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  21. ^ Ide, Wendy (20 June 2023). "'Four Souls Of Coyote': Annecy Review". ScreenDaily. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  22. ^ Lemercier, Fabien (15 March 2023). "Review: Four Souls of Coyote". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  23. ^ Christopher Vourlias (22 October 2023). "Hungarian Oscar Entry 'Four Souls of Coyote' Animates Native American Creation Myth to Reframe Story of Climate Crisis". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  24. ^ Vena, GoCritic! (17 May 2023). "My Love Affair with Marriage and Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia win top prizes at Anifilm". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Winners of New Media Film Festival". New Media Film Festival. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  26. ^ Scott Roxborough (17 June 2023). "'Chicken for Linda!' Wins 2023 Annecy Festival". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  27. ^ Flores, Terry (11 January 2024). "Netflix's 'Nimona' Leads Annie Awards 2024 Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
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