Mars Express (film) explained

Director:Jérémie Périn
Producer:Didier Creste
Editing:Lila Desiles
Distributor:Gebeka Films
Runtime:89 minutes
Country:France
Language:French
Budget:€9 million
Gross:$1.5 million[1]

Mars Express is a 2023 French animated neo-noir science fiction film co-written and directed by Jérémie Périn.

Synopsis

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.

Production

The film is an Everybody on Deck production. It had a €9 million budget.[2]

Release

The film premiered in the Cinéma de la Plage section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival on 23 May 2023.[3] It also made it to the competitive slate of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.[4] It was released theatrically in France on 22 November 2023 by Gebeka Films.[5] [6] 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.[7] [8]

Home media

The film is set to be released by GKIDS in North America on both digital and Blu-ray formats on 18 June 2024.[9]

Reception

Critical response

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".[10]

Wendy Ide of Screen Daily deemed the film to be "striking and timely animation".[11]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Lumières Award22 January 2024Best Animated FilmMars Express
Paris Film Critics Association Awards4 February 2024Best Animated Film
International Cinephile Society11 February 2024Best Animated Film
César Awards23 February 2024Best Animated Film

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mars Express (2023) . . 7 June 2024.
  2. News: « Mars Express » : un réjouissant spectacle high-tech. Le Point. fr. Phillipe. Guedj. 22 November 2023. 29 November 2023. 30 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231130112510/https://www.lepoint.fr/pop-culture/mars-express-un-rejouissant-spectacle-high-tech-22-11-2023-2544119_2920.php. live.
  3. Cannes 2023 – Jour 7 : Pierre Niney et Michel Gondry, le vomi de Club Zero, Cotillard superstar. Première. fr. 23 May 2023. 29 November 2023. 25 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230525125017/https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/News-Cinema/Cannes-2023-Jour-7-Pierre-Niney-et-Michel-Gondry-le-vomi-de-Club-Zero-Cotillard-superstar. live.
  4. 'Mars Express' Director Jérémie Périn Mixes Mature Themes With Anime Influences in Noirish Sci-Fi Thriller. Variety. 11 June 2023. Ben. Croll. 29 November 2023. 13 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230613202723/https://variety.com/2023/artisans/global/mars-express-jeremie-perin-anime-mk2-1235639839/. live.
  5. Web site: Leffler. Rebecca. mk2 Films scores US, key international deals on animated sci-fi noir 'Mars Express' (exclusive). Screen Daily. 26 October 2023. 5 March 2024. limited. https://web.archive.org/web/20240305233611/https://www.screendaily.com/news/mk2-films-scores-us-key-international-deals-on-animated-sci-fi-noir-mars-express-exclusive/5187279.article. 5 March 2024. live.
  6. Web site: Mars Express. fr. Gebeka Films. 5 March 2024.
  7. Web site: GKIDS Acquires North American Rights to "Mars Express". GKIDS. 11 June 2023. March 3, 2024.
  8. Milligan. Mercedes. New Trailer: GKIDS Launches 'Mars Express' NorAm Mission May 3. Animation Magazine. 28 March 2024.
  9. "Mars Express" Comes to Blu-Ray. GKIDS. 20 May 2024.
  10. Web site: Mars Express Review: France's Answer To Ghost In The Shell Makes For Thrilling Sci-Fi Noir [Annecy 2023]]. 20 June 2023. Rafael. Motamayor. /Film. 29 November 2023. 30 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231130112510/https://www.slashfilm.com/1318176/mars-express-review/. live.
  11. Web site: Screen Daily. 12 June 2023. 'Mars Express': Annecy Review. Wendy. Ide. 29 November 2023. limited. 12 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230612113333/https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/mars-express-annecy-review/5182847.article. live.