As the warmth of summer approaches, families are warmly welcomed to embark on a captivating journey into the heart of ancient forests with the all-new CG-animated film, ‘MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG’. Brought to you by Shout! Kids, in association with Animagrad Animation Studio and Film.UA Group, this stunning feature film debuts on DVD and digital download in North America for the very first time on August 15, 2023.
‘MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG’ will enchant viewers with its vivid portrayals of untouched nature, soul-stirring music, and awe-inspiring mythical creatures. Inspired by the brave guardian of the forest, Mavka, the film echoes a call for peace, harmony, and environmental preservation.
Overcoming tumultuous circumstances due to ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Animagrad Animation Studio crafted this masterpiece amidst constant armed aggression and property destruction. As covered by Variety, the team displayed remarkable tenacity, working from homes, bomb shelters, and even remotely from Europe to bring this animated dream to life.
‘MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG’ is a modern narrative rooted in ancient Slavic traditions, based on the celebrated Ukrainian drama ‘The Forest Song’ by the renowned poet Lesya Ukrainka. The movie wonderfully weaves Ukrainian culture, values, designs, and music into a tapestry of memorable characters, uplifting storylines, and intriguing folklore. With a resounding soundtrack penned by prominent Ukrainian musicians, the movie masterfully blends folk tunes with compositions specifically created for this epic adventure.
Directed by Oleg Malamuzh and Sasha Ruban, the English-language version showcases a talented voice cast featuring Laurie Hymes, Eddy Lee, Sarah Natochenny, Tom Wayland, Marc Thompson, Scottie Ray, HD Quinn, Nikki Thomas, Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld, and Mike Pollock.
‘MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG’ is poised to charm children, families, and animation enthusiasts alike. Pre-order is now available on ShoutFactory.com, with release across stores, reputable retailers, and digital entertainment platforms to follow.
The film first gained global recognition at the MIFA content market in 2017, as part of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. It went on to secure a spot in the esteemed European animation forum, Cartoon Movie 2017 in Bordeaux, for two consecutive years. Since then, the project has evolved into a multi-platform IP, the Mavka Universe, uniting creative minds, tech innovators, business leaders, scientific bodies, public institutions, and government agencies.
‘MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG’ – Movie Synopsis
Mavka, the soul of the forest, has been anointed by the supreme spirits as the new guardian. Yet, her life takes an unexpected turn when she falls in love with a human musician, Lucas, who is on a quest to find a tree with life-giving powers. Struggling between her newfound love and her obligations to the spirits, Mavka faces a challenging dilemma. Can humans coexist harmoniously with nature, or will greed shatter the delicate balance?
The DVD edition of ‘MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG’ comes with additional bonus features, including a featurette, music video, and trailers.
