PROGRAM NOTE
< Azur and Asmar>, a new animation by Michel Ocelot, a French animator already popular in Korea for works such as < Kirikou and the Sorceress>(1998), < Princes and Princesses>(2000), and < Kirikou and the Wild Beasts>(2005), once again ushers viewers into a world vivid with colors. Azur is blond with blue eyes, Asmar has dark hair and dark eyes. As kids, they fought and loved each other as brothers do, growing up to tales about the Djinn''s fairy from Asmar''s mother who is Azur''s nanny. They become rivals in the quest for the Djinn''s fairy, in a medieval Maghreb that is full of danger and magic. Offended by the two boy''s innocent competition, Azur''s father forces Azur to go to boarding school and sends Asmar and his mother away from the castle. Years later, young Azur rejoins his quest to find the fairy Djinn, ending up in a strange land where his blue eyes cause him nothing but trouble. This beautifully crafted animation is a gentle allegory on the perils of modern-day racism portrayed through the conflict between Azur and Asmar. The stunning score for the film is by Gabriel Yared, a prominent French film musician famous for his work on < Betty Blue: 37.2 Le Matin>, < The Lover>, < The English Patient>, and < The Lives of Others>.