‘Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning,’ a Korean-made animated horror film, has been added to the European Film Market slate of sales agent Finecut.
The picture is derived from a novel and webtoon that are among the most successful in Korean history, about four individuals bestowed with special powers rooted in religion, the supernatural, and legend. The book sold 10 million copies and recorded 238 million views online.
The film’s narrative is an origin story and recounts the first adventure of the foursome – an excommunicated priest, a young woman with telekinesis, a man who lost his sister to a malevolent spirit, and a child prodigy skilled in arcane magic. Their mission is to help Father Park, a doctor-turned priest who must protect a naïve but powerful child from his corrupt master within a secretive temple. Failure would mean a repeat of the tragedy that caused the doctor to turn to religion in the first place.
The film is directed by Kim Dongchul and produced by Locus Animation Studios, a leading animation and VFX studio which previously delivered “Red Shoes and Seven Dwarfs.” Finecut previously licensed that title for theatrical release in over 120 countries.
The film is produced in a ‘cartoon-render style’ which combines the artistic aesthetic of 2D animation with the visual depth of 3D. It is currently in post-production with no delivery date disclosed. Finecut will show first footage at the EFM in Berlin next month. “This adaptation emphasizes the mise-en-scène of the mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere constructing a unique world where superheroes intermingle with occult elements,” a company spokesman said.
Finecut also revealed that Locus is also actively producing a 3D animated version of “Yumi’s Cells,” a smash-hit comic which was previously adapted into TV series that combined live action and animation and ran for two seasons. It was produced at CJ ENM’s Studio Dragon with Locus providing the animated elements.
In Berlin, Finecut will also be representing sales rights to: dance-drama film “Victory”; action-comedy “The Desperate Chase”; and contemporary horror film “Noise.”
