PerrysPreviews - Perry's Family Movie Reviews
Insight from the youngest award-winning child movie critic
Perry Chen, 9-year-old Prodigy Movie Critic A Major Hit on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric
(published on “We Chinese in America” June 12, 2009)
A huge truck with large CBS 8 logo and soaring antenna parked in a quiet Torrey Hills neighborhood at 4:30 pm on Sunday, May 31. CBS 8 Reporter Steve Price and cameraman Charlie Landon hopped off the truck to get ready for live coverage of a celebration party at the home of Perry Chen, a 9-year-old third grader from Torrey Hills Elementary School, who has become a renowned film critic and media personality in San Diego for his sophisticated, insightful, and often humorous reviews of G and PG-rated family movies.
This night, Perry will debut on national TV: CBS Evening News with Katie Couric will introduce him as the most prominent child film critics in the country to millions of viewers in an exclusive feature. At 6:24 pm, the last segment of CBS Evening News started. “The new animated movie ‘Up’ soared off with $68 million this weekend, winning the box office race. ‘Up’ got a boost from rave reviews, including one California writer who called it ‘amazing’ and gave it four and a half starfish out of a possible five. Other big films have had to face the starfish test too, as CBS news correspondent Ben Tracy reports.”
Hours of filming and interviewing by the CBS News crew were condensed to a spectacular 2.5 minute feature, with this opening line from Ben Tracy: “In the movie world the critics hold a lot of power. But very few hold their mom’s hand when they show up at the theatre.”
“Wise beyond his years, Perry might just be the youngest movie critic in the country, and has filmmakers who invited him to private question and answer sessions. He has become so well known in movie circles that Perry gets invited to special press screenings before a movie even comes out,” reported CBS 8’s Price.
Indeed, since writing movie reviews in October 2008, Perry was invited to meet and interview the acclaimed French director Michel Ocelot and renowned Pixar “Up” director Pete Docter and producer Jonas Rivera, the creative force behind the first animated feature ever to open the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May 2009. Perry is a columnist and movie critic for “We Chinese in America” weekly newspaper, and has been featured in ten San Diego newspaper and print media, including La Jolla Light and San Diego Ranch Coast News
“I like epic movies and sentimental movies,” said Perry when asked about his favorite type of movies. “What are you going to do when your movie critic days are over?” asked Price. “I want to be a filmmaker. I love movies and want to experience what it’s like to make a movie myself. I’ll make kids movie with action,” said Perry.
Loud cheers erupted when the CBS feature finished. “This is once in a lifetime experience,” Perry commented when prompted by Price, about watching the CBS show with friends. “I give it FIVE starfish. It’s Perrific! My coined word for Perry and terrific together.”
Perry took bows to his adoring friends and gave appreciations to a few special people, including his mom and Ms. Joli Harris, Perry’s teacher from Torrey Hills, who has been a wonderful mentor to Perry. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Perry on this creative project. It is so ‘real life’ and helps to bring to light that writing has purpose and meaning, not just an assignment from a teacher. It is a great marriage of education and entertainment, making it both motivating for Perry to write and for others to read. Perry has been able to grow as a writer through this process, becoming more thoughtful, descriptive, and able to expand on his ideas. Through this, his patience has grown, allowing his love of writing to grow as well. It is my hope that this will inspire others to engage in similar creative pursuits.” Said Ms. Harris.
“Working with Perry on his movie reviews has been such a rewarding journey for me personally. I firmly believe that each Child has natural talents and great potential. It could be creative writing, art, science, math, invention, and so on. It’s up to the parents and teachers to uncover and nurture these natural talents in their children and students so that they can unleash their creativity and let their imagination take flight. Perry’s success is a wonderful example of the three-way partnership among parent, teacher, and student.” Commented Dr. Shen, who plans to give educational seminars this summer in San Diego about “How to uncover and nurture your children’s hidden talents.”
On display throughout Perry’s home are Perry’s drawings and paintings under the guidance of his beloved art teacher Ms. Helen Yuan who teaches at the Golden Dragon Kung-Fu Institute four days a week. This summer, Perry plans to experiment with sculpture from renowned sculptor Lynn Forbes at Lynn Forbes Sculpture Studio in Carlsbad.
“Perry is definitely going to be whatever he wants to be,” predicted Price as he wrapped up the live coverage.
After his successful Fox 5 TV debut on May 25 to review Pixar’s “Up”, Perry will be back on Fox late June to review 20th Century Fox’s “The Ice Age III: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” which opens on July 1 nationwide.
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For Perry’s reviews, updates, upcoming events, and to sign up for free newsletters, visit www.perryspreviews.com
Perry’s Previews Movie Review & Filmmaker Interview: To the Arctic (IMAX)
Perry Chen with Brad Ohlund, Director of Photography, To the Arctic at RHFleet press screening (photo by Zhu Shen)
Perry’s Previews Movie Review: To the Arctic (IMAX) April 20, 2012
Rated: G
4 out of 5 starfish
By Perry S. Chen
To The Arctic Film Still, Courtesy of IMAX
Have you ever wondered how animals of the ice-bound arctic cope with the rapidly changing environment? In the new IMAX film directed by Oscar-nominee Greg MacGillivray (The Living Sea, Dolphin), “To the Arctic” reveals the harsh reality of the environmental impact that humans have on the habitats of polar bears, walrus, caribou, and various other arctic animals, and provides a window into the world of challenges for the mothers of these animals. There are some really shocking facts too, such as how the polar ice caps could melt by as early as 2050 if we do nothing now, and polar bears are on “thin ice” with the possibility of becoming extinct!
“To the Arctic” is all about how arctic animals cope with the disintegrating environment, but mainly about how a polar bear mother overcomes great challenges to keep her two cubs alive in the changing world. She has to deal with thin, dangerous ice, a scarce food source, and vicious male bears, who, if they can’t find seals to eat, are happy to consume polar bear cubs as well.
The story begins as Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep gives a background on the life of animals of the arctic. The caribou herd goes on an arduous migration to Alaska hundreds of miles away from the arctic to give birth each spring, but the exceptionally long summer (due to global warming) disrupts their ancient ritual. Then, the story shifts to a mother polar bear with twin cubs, whom the crew filmed for five days up close. Throughout the time, the bear struggled with feeding her cubs despite a dwindling milk supply, and outwitting starving male bears.
Speaking about the polar bear mom, Streep said, “That’s something we human mothers can empathize with very strongly, the desire to safeguard our children and make their future secure. You’ll do anything, anything, to help them survive.”
There were many things I liked about this “Perrific!” 4 starfish film. First of all, I enjoyed the visual effects, especially the stunning view of the crystalline, white glacier and the shattered ice floes that covered the ocean. My favorite scene is when curious polar bears played around with cameras disguised as an iceberg in white plastic. The bears chased after the rolling camera that the cameraman was trying to steer away from them.
The dome theater at the San Diego Reuben H. Fleet Science Center where I attended the press screening really made the images pop out of the screen, and it made me feel like I’m actually in the Arctic, since I was surrounded by the pictures. I enjoyed the arctic-themed music by Paul McCartney, and Meryl Streep’s narration was done skillfully in a lively manner. This movie really raises awareness about how critically important it is to save the environment. Even I never knew that global warming is irreversible!
Many people know about the polar ice caps melting, but many don’t take action. I hope to take action by promoting this film, and possibly donating to organizations that help these animals, such as www.oneworldoneocean.org Most importantly, I want to reduce my carbon footprint by recycling more, consuming less packaged goods, and using more carpool. At home, we recycle anything we can and keep a compost bin for kitchen scraps and garden waste. We use reusable bags instead of plastic bags while grocery shopping. My mom declined plastic bags when checking out at a Target store today, and instead carried what she bought into our car by hand. Every single global citizen should do his or her own part to slow down global warming and save our environment, so that the children of tomorrow can appreciate such majestic animals as the polar bears. I challenge you to find new ways to reduce your own carbon footprint too.
Though this is a great film, there are some parts of it that could be improved. In one of the scenes, the top of the dome looked a bit distorted. The ice seemed to be swirling around at the top. Finally, I thought that in some parts of the film, the music wasn’t necessary. For example, when the polar bear cubs were playing with each other, I would rather have the visuals tell the story without the songs. Overall, “To the Arctic” is a powerful conservation documentary with few flaws that I recommend to audience five and older.
After the press screening, the audience had a lively Q&A with Brad Ohlund, the director of photography for the film. He answered all of the questions well and had a great sense of humor. When a young boy asked why polar bears don’t like humans, he replied, “They actually do! They like them raw!” Brad revealed many secrets about how the team filmed the polar bears and how he worked behind the scenes. It was extremely dangerous to film polar bears, since they aggressively hunt humans. He said that the photographers often have no idea how much danger they were in until they reviewed their footage. Some of the photographers dove down underneath the polar bears while they were swimming. The cameraman was swimming 10 feet below the colossal bears to photograph them, since the bears didn’t like to dive after humans!
Perry Chen with Brad Ohlund dedication page of “To the Arctic” companion book (photo by Zhu Shen)
On May 9, 2012, I was thrilled to receive an autographed copy of the companion photography book of “To the Arctic” IMAX film from Brad Ohlund by FedEx, just before mom & I went to the special event at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, featuring Florian Schulz, the author and photographer for this book! Brad wrote, “To Perry, Keep up your reviews and filmmaking, Best, Brad Ohlund”
Perry Chen and Florian Schulz holding "To the Arctic" book at Reuben H Fleet Science Center (photo by Zhu Shen)
Florian Schulz autographing To the Arctic book for Perry Chen at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (photo by Zhu Shen)
I wad delighted to interview Florian Schulz before his lecture & presentation about the making of the “To the Actic” film and the companion book. He also autographed for me! “To Perry, I started photography when I was your age. It is best to follow your passion because you can be the best you can be. From Florian Schulz.”
Indeed, Florian started taking pictures of animals when he was a young boy my age. His parents gave him a telescope which he used to watch wild life: birds and foxes. “I loved being so close to the animals that I can watch their every move, for example, playing with each other, the wind in their features, singing… I could always tell stories about it. When I was able to take photographs, that made a big difference. Suddenly, people could understand what I saw.” To young kids, Florian gave them the same advice he gave me: start early and follow your dream, and never stop.
Florian spent over 18 months over 10 years to shoot the images in the book. He was attracted to the Arctic because there were few people in the vast wilderness and he loved polar bears. When asked about photograph techniques, he said, “it’s good to photograph the subject from very high up, and very low down, and shoot with a wide lens, zoom in and out, so you can shoot from difference perspectives.” Florian said the Arctic is one of his favorite places to take photographs. It is one of the last truly wild, beautiful places on Earth that we can help to preserve. The ice in the Arctic is melting at an alarming rate, he hopes to bring awareness to people so we can all help save the paradise of the polar bears, and stop big oil companies from drilling for oil in the pristine Arctic. I hope the President can see this film because only he can stop the oil company from drilling in the Arctic.
Moral: If we don’t care for our world today, it will be lost forever for our children tomorrow.
Watch trailer: www.imax.com/tothearctic
If you live in San Diego, check out the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center screenings of the film. On Mother’s Day (May 12, 2012), all mothers can watch the film for free:
http://www.rhfleet.org/site/imax/tothearctic.cfm
Copyright 2012 by Perry S. Chen
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About Perry Chen:
Perry S. Chen is an 12-year-old award-winning child film critic, artist, animator, TEDx speaker, and entertainment personality, currently in 6th grade from San Diego. He started reviewing movies at age 8 in 3rd grade using a kid-friendly starfish rating system, and has been featured in CBS, NPR, NBC, CNN, CCTV (China Central Television), Variety, Animation Magazine, The Young Icons, The Guardian, The China Press, etc. He was a presenter at the 2010 Annie Awards for Animation, and has written movie reviews for Animation World Network, San Diego Union Tribune, Amazing Kids! Magazine, and his own Perry’s Previews blog:
Perry won an “Excellence in Journalism Award” from San Diego Press Club in 2010 and 2011 for his movie and restaurant reviews, an “Excellence Writer Award” from “We Chinese in America” Magazine in 2010 for his movie review column. Perry is widely recognized as an authoritative spokesperson about movies for his generation, and appears frequently at red carpet movie premieres, awards, and film festivals, interviewing prominent directors from such films as Toy Story 3, Up, How to Train Your Dragon. He was a presenter at the 2010 Annie Awards for Animation in Hollywood. Perry and his mom Dr. Zhu Shen are featured in a new book about parenting and youth entrepreneurship, “The Parent’s Guide to Raising CEO Kids,” published in Aug 2011.
Perry’s first animation short “Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest” won multiple film festival awards. More info: http://ingridpitt.co.uk
Become a fan on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/ingridpittanimation (Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest official FB page)
http://www.facebook.com/perryspreviewsfan (Perry’s Previews fan page)
Subscribe to Perry’s YouTube channel and watch his filmmaker interviews:
http://www.youtube.com/perryspreviews
Follow his tweets: http://twitter.com/perryspreviews
For more information about Perry Chen, his animation films, and movie reviews, contact Dr. Zhu Shen, bioforesight at gmail dot com
Rave Reviews for Holocaust Animation Short “Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest” by Perry Chen, Bill Plympton & Kevin Sean Michaels
Perry Chen drawing "Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest" (photo by Zhu Shen)
Animator Perry Chen, Producer Zhu Shen (R) with Director Kevin Sean Michaels at 2012 Newport Beach Film Festival
Perry Chen with Bill Plympton, Kevin Sean Michaels at 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival (photo by Zhu Shen)
“Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest” Film Festival Awards:
Best Animation Award (8-13 group), 17th International Family Film Festival (IFFF), Los Angeles, March 24, 2012
- Perry Chen receiving his International Family Film Festival best animation award with IFFF founder Chris Shoemaker (photo by Sandra Vielma)
http://www.awn.com/news/people/ingrid-pitt-beyond-forest-wins-ifff-award (AWN: Perry Chen’s Animation Won IFFF Best Animation Award, March 29, 2012)
Special Jury Award, Short Subject, 45th WorldFest Houston International Film Festival, Houston, April 21, 2012
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/apr/25/yarn-bomber-strikes-clairemont-stopping-traffic/ (UT San Diego about WorldFest Award)
http://www.perryspreviews.com/?p=3793 (child animator’s film won WorldFest special jury award)
Special Jury Award for Extraordinary Vision, Flyway Film Festival, Pepin, Wisconsin, Oct 20, 2011
Director Kevin Sean Michaels receiving Special Jury Award from at 2011 Flyway Film Festival from Fest founder Rick Vaicius (photo by James Ramsay)
http://www.perryspreviews.com/?p=3296 (Child animator’s Holocaust film won Flyway Film Fest Award press release)
Film Festival Screenings:
World Premiere: July 2011, LA Shorts Fest & Comic-Con
European Premiere: DO Cartoon, Italy, Oct 2011
2012 Film Festivals:
2011 Film Festivals:
Advanced Endorsements for “Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest”
The Holocaust has been treated by almost every medium, but rarely animation – and never by a child animator, until now. Animation short “INGRID PITT: BEYOND THE FOREST” is truly a labor of love, and a cross-generational collaboration between a world-class animation master Bill Plympton, actress Ingrid Pitt, who narrated her last film about the horror of war as she experienced as a child during the Holocaust, and a first-time 10-yr-old animator & artist Perry Chen, who is also an award-winning child film critic. The film has been acquired in Sep 2011 for worldwide distribution by Shorts International, distributor of Oscar-nominated shorts and the world’s leading company in short movie entertainment. The film had its Los Angeles theatrical premiere on September 20, 2011, hosted by Shorts International’s ShortsHD.
A Shorts International “’Short Notice’” original feature recounting the making of Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest will air every day for 2 weeks (October 17th – 30th 2011) as one part of a show that features 3 stories from around the industry on ShortsHD, a cable television channel dedicated to short movies, available in the US on DirecTV (Channel 568) Dish Network (Channel 375) and AT&T U-verse (Channel 1789). Website: www.shorts.tv
“We’re thrilled to get this gem, ‘Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest’ out to the world commencing with a theatrical debut at ShortsHD at the Movies, at CGV Cinemas in Los Angeles this Tuesday. I was immediately attracted to this animation about the Holocaust through the eyes of a child, animated by 10-year-old, Perry Chen, in a collaboration with Ingrid Pitt, one of my favorites – Bill Plympton, and Kevin Sean Michaels. I mean, what were you doing at 10 years old? Most kids are dreaming about this kind of thing, but Perry Chen actually did it and is clearly a talent to watch.”
Linda “O.” Olszewski, Co-Head of Global Acquisitions, Shorts International
Perry Chen, Zhu Shen with Linda Olszewski of Shorts International at 2012 Newport Beach Film Festival
Press release & film screenings/ festivals:
http://www.perryspreviews.com/?p=3091
The film is directed by Kevin Sean Michaels, storyboard and character design by Bill Plympton, with Holocaust historian Dr. Jud Newborn as adviser and co-producer, Dr. Zhu Shen (Perry’s mom) as co-producer and media/PR adviser.
Watch trailer:
(Perry Chen interviewed by Joyce Chow of MBN at ShortsHD premiere, Sep 20, 2011)
Join the film’s Facebook page and Perry’s Previews Facebook Fan Page to get timely updates:
http://www.facebook.com/PerrysPreviewsFan
http://www.facebook.com/ingridpittanimation
The film premiered at the 15th LA Shorts Film Festival (http://LAShortsFest.com) on July 23, 2011, an Academy Award-qualifying festival for shorts:
http://www.perryspreviews.com/?p=2824
and at Comic-Con on July 24, 2011 with a panel discussion “Holocaust Through the Eyes of a Child, Animated by a Child,” about the making of this film:
http://www.perryspreviews.com/?p=2840
To help support the film and make a donation, visit the official website for the film:
Perry Chen and director Kevin Sean Michaels discussing animaiton film feedback (photo by Zhu Shen)
Animator Perry Chen & Producer Zhu Shen with "Ingrid Pitt-Beyond the Forest" DVD (photo by Mark Miller)
Perry Chen with Bill Plympton & their film DVD at 2011 Comic-Con (photo by Liz Kelly)
Endorsements & Testimonials:
“I was delighted to see two of my favourite animators working together again – Perry Chen and Bill Plympton! It’s a very important piece of work and having Perry animate to Bill’s storyboards for animation is a great way to bring home both the strength and innocence of children when faced with such horror.”
-Tomm Moore, Director, “The Secret of Kells” (2010 Best Animation Feature Oscar Nomination)
“We were pleased to screen ‘Ingrid Pitt’ and recognize Perry Chen with the IFFF YouthFest! ‘Best Animation (ages 8-13)’ Award for a truly sensitive and thought-provoking animation set against one of history’s darker chapters. Perry shows much promise – we’ll keep an eye on this young and budding talent in the years ahead.”
- Chris Shoemaker, Founder & Executive Director, International Family Film Festival (IFFF), Freshi Academy
“Beautiful. Powerful. Congratulations!”
- Dr. Michael Berenbaum, Founding Project Director, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; Co-Producer, Adviser of Academy Award Winning Films, Last Days and One Survivor Remembers; Former President, Steven Spielberg Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation; Director, Sigi Ziering Institute, American Jewish University
“10-year-old animator Perry Chen and his team have created an impressive and often moving visual poem of the Holocaust.”
- Annette Insdorf, Film Professor, Columbia University; Author, Indelible Shadows: Film and The Holocaust
“We congratulate Perry for completing such a wonderful and touching animated short which brings together his passion for animation with Bill Plympton’s unique style and Ingrid Pitt’s survival story. Not only is the story treatment very touching, it is even more outstanding to see what Perry has been able to produce in such a short time. Perry’s creativity is endless. We are honored he chose Toon Boom Studio to express it and surprise us. What a great project to start a successful career in animation!”
-Joan Vogelesang, President and Chief Executive Officer, Toon Boom Animation
“I met with Perry Chen two years ago, he enjoyed my films, I enjoyed his writings as a very young film critic. Now I see he is not loosing time again, on something very strong —a reminder of the horrors of the Shoah, which did not spare children, here animated by a child, and narrated by the very child from the true story, now an adult at the end of her life. I appreciate the design of the wonderful Bill Plympton, and the discovery Perry made, which I made years ago: there is something more exciting than watching movies, it’s making them.”
-Michel Ocelot, Former President, International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) President, Award-winning Animation Director, “Kirikou and the Sorceress” “Azur & Asmar”
“Brilliant and heart wrenching, all the more so because of the sensitivity communicated through a youngster’s cartoons. A stroke of genius–and an example of what needs to be said today, to parents and teachers on how important it is to study and reflect upon history.”
- Kreskin (“The Amazing Kreskin”)
“I am duly impressed! As the first endorsers of INGRID PITT: BEYOND THE FOREST, Ina and I feel it gives special insight into the Holocaust. Because of my close relationship with the Anne Frank Center USA, in which I have been involved for 25 years as Director, President, Chairman and now Chairman Emeritus, I plan to give as much support as I can to this innovative, artistically executed film.”
- Jack Polak, Chair Emeritus, The Anne Frank Center USA
“INGRID PITT: BEYOND THE FOREST is so wonderful and appropriate to today – to the children in this world, growing up and needing something to touch theirs’ and others’ hearts and souls, so as to know the true feeling of love and empathy for their peers.”
-Millie Perkins, Actress playing “Anne Frank” in the classic film, The Diary of Anne Frank
“I absolutely love it! I loved the drawings, the music, the story was beautifully told – wonderful, wonderful job! I would like to show it to the teachers who take our Holocaust and genocide classes as it would show what one child can do to tell an important story.”
-Rena Berlin, Director of Education, Virginia Holocaust Museum
“We are delighted to see Perry’s film receiving such wonderful recognition from the entertainment community. Perry’s choice of our pen tablet technology to create his illustrations is a testament to his maturity as a young animator. We look forward to his continued support of Wacom products and cannot wait to see his next adventure.”
-Douglas Little, Senior Public Relations Manager, Wacom
The most unusual surprise for me (at the 2011 Animation Show of Shows), was seeing Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest. It is a powerful emotional work that is based on the experiences of an 8 year old girl who survived the Nazi concentration camps. The reason I was surprised is that the animator is Perry Chen, who is only ten! His simple artwork is perfect as the story is told from the young girl’s point of view.
- Karl Cohen, President, ASIFA-San Francisco
Kevin Sean Michaels, director of this short, does a great job in freeing himself from all those impositions to create a film that is not directly focused on the younger audience (even though they could watch it for its high pedagogic value), but one which was created with an adult audience in mind. It is also special because it meant one collaboration which seemed strange in theory but turned out to be very solid in practice: Perry Chen, an 11-year-old animator, and the two-time Academy Award nominee Bill Plympton working together to bring life to one of the greatest short films of 2011, including non-animated films. Their clean and simple style fits perfectly with the dramatic narration by Ingrid Pitt, achieving an emotional and at the same time horrific tone. “Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest” is surprising for its strong speech. And although we can feel Plympton’s style in it, it doesn’t outshine Chen and Michael’s parts.
A work that deserves more recognition, “Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest” proves that animation can be more than a “genre”, as it uses it only as a medium to tell a powerful story that could be told, without many changes, in a live action feature.
-Pablo Gonzalez Taboada, Film Critic, FilmAffinity.com
“It’s always refreshing to see young people being creative, but in the case of Perry Chen, he’s taken his young talents to a level that even many animation school graduates could only wish to achieve. Having the ability to craft an animated film is one thing, but having the ability to market your work is something many filmmakers lack…for someone as young as Perry to break into the world of independent animation filmmaking and have admiration from his peers is truly remarkable! I expect to continue to see big things from Perry as he continues to sharpen his skills and talent as and not just an animator but as a filmmaker!”
- Jeff Chiba Stearns, award winning animation filmmaker
“AMAZING! The voiceover is fantastic – the transitions are really creative and I have to be honest – both my wife and I were almost in tears at the end – it was incredibly moving. What fantastic work! So powerful! My grandmother was in a camp in Poland and Germany during World War II, so it definitely hit close to home. Really well done!”
- Brad Crowe, Director, “Potter’s Field” (2011 LA Shorts Fest)
“Incredible!! I was very moved, and thought the animation really struck an emotional chord with the story. It was a fabulous job!”
-Cat Youell, Director, “The Mischievous Case of Cordelia Botkin” (2011 LA Shorts Fest)
“Very, very well done- congratulations to Perry and Zhu! A wonderful story, well-told with very beautiful art work. I imagine we all will be seeing much more of Perry in the near future!”
-Paul Emerson, Director, “Lie Detector” (2011 LA Shorts Fest)
“It is a brave and courageous undertaking assembled into an exquisite film. It has great power in story and visual interpretation. Sure to be provocative and raise awareness. Wow! Congratulations to all.”
-Brian Finn & Harriet Spizziri, award-winning filmmakers, “Captures,” “In My Living Room”
“Very inspiring to see such a beautiful tale imaginatively painted by such a promising young artist. More power to the kids!”
- Paolo Bitanga, Executive Director, Mochi Productions
“Thank you so much for sharing this extraordinary project. I watched both the preview as well as the film, and was touched by the powerful story as well as the partnership between Ingrid and Perry Chen. What a unique and creative approach to Holocaust education! I’m honored to have seen the film.”
- Stacy Schiller, Acting Director Holocaust Resource Center/Diversity Council, Kean University, NJ
“As witnesses gradually die away, it becomes imperative to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive in the hearts and minds of generations to come. I love the idea of animation using the work of a child artist. It is a way of allowing us to imagine what Ingrid Pitt, and countless other children like her, had experienced, through a child’s perspective. The makers of this film have created something honest, sensitive, and memorable.”
- Shulamit Ran, Pulitzer Prize Winning Composer on Holocaust Themes (University of Chicago)
“Totally amazing! I was riveted by everything about it.”
- Prof. Martha Feldman, Chair, Dept. of Musicology, University of Chicago
“How moving! The darkness to the light, the simplicity and the music all blend perfectly into the storyboard. I want to help you get this film to as many people as possible.”
- Lea Wolinetz, Representative of World Holocaust Survivors (Czestochowa), Second Generation and The Museum of the History of the Polish Jews
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For media inquiries, contact:
Zhu Shen, Producer, 858-761-7955, bioforesight@gmail.com
Kevin Sean Michaels, Director, 516-906-0082, kevinseanmichaels@gmail.com
Jud Newborn, Producer, 516-652-7920, jnewbo@aol.com
Join the film’s Facebook page and Perry’s Previews Facebook Fan Page to get timely updates:
http://www.facebook.com/PerrysPreviewsFan
http://www.facebook.com/ingridpittanimation
Child Animator’s Film Won Special Jury Remi Award at the 45th WorldFest Houston International Film Festival
Child Animator Perry Chen’s Film Won Special Jury Remi Award at the 45th WorldFest Houston International Film Festival
Press Release
San Diego, CA and Long Island, NY, April 24, 2012 – The acclaimed and multiple-awards-winning animation short Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest about actress Ingrid Pitt’s childhood survival during the Holocaust, just added another film festival honor, winning a “Special Jury Remi Award” in the short subject division at the 45th WorldFest Houston International Film Festival held April 13-22, 2012. Animated by 10-year-old filmmaker and award-winning critic Perry Chen, directed by Kevin Sean Michaels, with storyboard by animation legend and two-time Oscar nominee Bill Plympton, this is the film’s third festival award since the film’s Comic-Con and LA Shorts Fest world premiere in July 2011. WorldFest is one of the oldest independent film festivals in the U.S. Bill Plympton has won WorldFest Remi Awards multiple times himself. Perry’s mom Dr. Zhu Shen and Holocaust historian Dr. Jud Newborn are co producers. The film was made possible by the generous support of Toon Boom Animation, Wacom, and Reel Picture.
WorldFest Houston 2012 poster art
“’Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest’ was also one of the top contenders for the Grand Remi Award (the statuette), so it is one of the very highest placing entries in the Short Subjects division,” said Kathleen Haney, WorldFest’s Artistic and Program Director. “At WorldFest, you can discover the Spielbergs and Ang Lee’s of tomorrow, on the big silver screen today…!”
“What a great honor to win this Special July Remi Award at WorldFest, following the footsteps of Bill Plympton, Steven Spielberg, and Ang Lee!” said Perry Chen. “April 19, 2012 was Holocaust Remembrance Day. I hope more children and adults can watch our film to keep the history lessons alive. Mom and I also want to thank our sponsors Toon Boom Animation, Wacom, and Reel Picture for their wonderful support. I look forward to making my next animation film in 3D about a boy’s adventures with a magic pencil, using Sandde software from Janro Imaging Laboratory as well as Toon Boom.” Perry Chen and the film were featured on the Houston Chronicle during WorldFest:
http://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief/article/Short-film-tells-story-of-Ingrid-Pitt-Holocaust-3477964.php (Houston Chronicle: Short film tells story of Ingrid Pitt, Holocaust, April 13, 2012)
Perry Chen with Bill Plympton (R) and Kevin Sean Michaels at 2012 Los Angeles Animation Festival (photo by Zhu Shen)
“Ingrid Pitt was a great lady and terrific actress, her story is universal,” remarked Kevin Sean Michaels. “She had a dream to be an actress as did Anne Frank, but to a better conclusion. People, especially young students, ought to know that life is full of struggles. In war, there are no answers but plenty of life lessons. I’m so glad that a new generation is finding out about Ingrid Pitt though our short film.”
“What is impressive to me is that many factors were at play in making the short film. Plympton, Chen and I are so different– different ages and backgrounds, but have a gut feeling when it comes to art. That binds us together. It’s not about ego, it’s about all of us. Our gut feeling was to present Ingrid’s experience with dignity and honor befitting her and her legacy.”
Perry Chen drawing animation for “Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest” on Wacom tablet using Toon Boom Animation software (photo by Zhu Shen)
“We’re thrilled to get this gem, ‘Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest‘out to the world,” said Linda “O.” Olszewski, Shorts International’s Co-Head of Global Acquisitions, “I was immediately attracted to this animation about the Holocaust through the eyes of a child, animated by 10-year-old, Perry Chen, in a collaboration with Ingrid Pitt, one of my favorites – Bill Plympton, and Kevin Sean Michaels. I mean, what were you doing at 10 years old? Most kids are dreaming about this kind of thing, but Perry Chen actually did it and is clearly a talent to watch.” The film will be available on iTune and DVD in August, 2012.
The film was acquired in September 2011 for worldwide distribution by Shorts International, the distributor of Academy Award-nominated shorts tours for the last 6 years in theaters, inDemand!, and on iTunes and ShortsHD TV in over 100 markets. The film premiered to critical acclaim at LA Shorts Fest & Comic-Con in July, 2011, won the “Best Animation Award” (age 8-13) at the 17th International Family Film Festival in Hollywood in March 2012, a “Special Jury Award” for “Extraordinary Vision” at Flyway Film Festival in Wisconsin in Oct, 2011, featured as a bonus film at the 2011 Animation Show of Shows, and has been touring over 30 film festivals around the world. Perry Chen was invited to present this film at DreamWorks Animation in Dec 2011, with introduction by “How to Train Your Dragon” director Dean DeBlois. The film was among the 45 Oscar-eligible animation shorts for Academy Awards consideration in 2012.
“Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest” will be screened at the following film festivals:
April 27, 2012 at 2pm, Newport Beach Film Festival, Special appearance, Q&A by Perry Chen, Zhu Shen, Kevin Sean Michaels:
May 6, 2012 at 3pm, Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival, Special appearance, Q&A by Perry Chen, Zhu Shen:
http://lajfilmfest.org/2012-schedule/
May 12, 2012, 7 PM, Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Films, Germany
For more information about the film and filmmakers, events, screenings, contact Dr. Zhu Shen, bioforesight@gmail.com
Become a fan on the Film’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ingridpittanimation
Watch “Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest” Trailer
Watch Perry Chen & Bill Plympton interviews at the Burbank International Film Festival
About WorldFest Houston International Film Festival
WorldFest was founded 50 years ago as Cinema Arts, an International Film Society in 1961. WorldFest became the third competitive international film festival in North America, following San Francisco and New York, and is the oldest independent film & video festival in the world. It evolved into a competitive international film festival in 1968, founded by award-winning producer/director Hunter Todd who has over 300 feature film and video production credits. WorldFest is the only film festival in North America that is staffed and managed entirely by filmmakers. It is 12 major film & video competitions in one event with over 4,500 category entries. This is the festival that discovered such film luminaries as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Ang Lee, Ridley Scott, Spike Lee, Oliver Stone, David Lynch, and the Coen Brothers with their very first awards. A full list of 2012 WorldFest winners:
http://01f5b36.netsolhost.com/worldfestsite2007/PAGES/winners.htm
About Perry Chen:
Perry S. Chen is an award-winning child film/entertainment critic, artist, and animator, currently in 6th grade from San Diego. He started reviewing movies at age 8 in 3rd grade using a kid-friendly starfish rating system, and has been featured in CBS, NBC, CNN, NPR, Variety, The Guardian, The China Press, etc. He has written movie reviews for Animation World Network, San Diego Union Tribune, Amazing Kids! Magazine, and his own Perry’s Previews blog. (www.perryspreviews.com) He won an “Excellence in Journalism Award” from San Diego Press Club in 2010 and 2011. “Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest” is Perry’s first film as sole animator. He also animated one scene in Bill Plympton’s award-winning “Guard Dog Global Jam.” Perry and his mom Dr. Zhu Shen are featured in a new book about parenting and youth entrepreneurship “The Parent’s Guide to Raising CEO Kids” published in Aug 2011, available on Amazon.com. Connect with Perry on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/perryspreviewsfan
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Visit the film’s official website, and donate: http://ingridpitt.co.uk
Become a fan on the Film’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ingridpittanimation
Testimonials & Endorsement: http://www.perryspreviews.com/?p=2725
Subscribe to Perry Chen’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/perryspreviews
Read Perry Chen’s movie reviews and animation news: http://www.perryspreviews.com
Perry’s Previews Movie Review: The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Perry Chenat The Pirates! press screening (photo by Zhu Shen)
Perry’s Previews Movie Review: The Pirates! Band of Misfits April 27, 2012
(4.5 out of 5 starfish)
By Perry S. Chen
Imagine if you are a pirate with a big dream but little talent, and nobody believes you can win anything big. And, to top it off, you just entered yourself into a prestigious contest that made you a laughing stock! That’s exactly what the Pirate Captain, the protagonist of the new Aardman/Sony animation film “The Pirates! Band of Misfits,” has got himself into. But the determination of the easy-going, gullible Captain to win the coveted “Pirate of the Year Award” takes him and his rowdy crew on an adventure of a life time!
I laughed so much as I watched the Pirate Captain and his crew traveling the globe, discovering obscure scientific wonders, competing with other more successful millionaire pirates, and fighting off the wicked Queen of England who loathes all pirates. Along the way, the Pirate Captain meets many colorful characters, including Charles Darwin BEFORE he became famous, and Darwin’s mute chimp butler “Bobo” who brought comedic relief and more twists to the plot. The captain couldn’t do without his loyal deputy, “Number 2,” whose smart warnings often go unheeded.
I loved the humor, there is plenty of physical comedy for younger children, and funny pop cultural references that adults enjoy, including the four “Pirate of the Year” nominees waiting in the wings, anxious for the winner announcement, just like at the Oscars. I thought that the claymation was done skillfully, all characters have such lively expressions and personality.
I noticed a lot of similarities between the lead characters of this film and “Wallace & Gromit” which were created by the same studio, Aardman in the UK. The Pirate Captain and Wallace are both easy-going and gullible, often leading to their downfall, but both are great at adapting to their environment using their special talent: The Pirate Captain with his forest of hair and ingenious disguises, Wallace with his inventions and various contraptions to make his life easier. “Number 2” and Gromit demonstrated undying loyalty and more smarts than their “Number 1.”
I think the addition of Darwin and the chimp is a stroke of genius, enriching the plot and adding plenty of humor. Imagine scientists mingling with pirates, how awkward Darwin must have felt!