Animated adaptation of celebrated work of poetry has B.C. link

1 OUTDOOR SUMMER FILM SERIES

The non-profit Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Youth is presenting this outdoor screening of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. The free, family-friendly screening marks the start of what R2R hopes to make an annual tradition.

2 THE PROPHET

Originally published in 1923, this enormously popular tome is a collection of 26 poems by Lebanese author Kahlil Gibran. It has been translated into over 40 languages and, since publication, has never been out of print.

3 ANIMATED ADAPTATION

Roger Allers (The Lion King) wrote and directed the 2014 animated feature, which combines Gibran’s poetry and animated sequences. Salma Hayek (one of the producers), Liam Neeson and Quvenzhané Wallis voice characters, while Damien Rice, Glen Hansard and Yo-Yo Ma contribute music. “Think of ‘Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet’ as a gift: a work of essential spiritual enlightenment, elegantly interpreted by nine of the world’s leading independent animators,” wrote Peter Dubruge in a 2015 review for Variety.

4 VANCOUVER CONNECTION

Several different animators contributed to short segments in the film. Barrel Entertainment was responsible for the animation, modelling and cinematography for the overarching main story. Barrel Entertainment is responsible for the actual animation. The local company (which has offices in Vancouver and Kelowna) also worked on the DreamWorks feature Puss n Boots and the TV series Bob’s Burgers, among others.

5 FREE ANIMATION WORKSHOPS

Before the screening, the NFB will hold animation workshops and VR demonstrations at Performance Works from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A scene from the animated feature Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, which screens on July 13 in Ron Basford Park on Granville Island.