Russians toon in
Actors and toons to do 'Margarita' mix
They may need to work some real magic first, however, if they're to come up with the project's projected $3 million budget.
Though he's won support so far from state funding body Goskino and Russia's Association of Animators, producer Nikita Androsian will be visiting Santa Monica's International Animation fest next month to seek international co-producers.
Every little bit helps. A late December presentation for the project in Moscow even included an auction of Bulgakov memorabilia.
"Master" is scheduled for completion by the year 2000, which marks the 60th anniversary of Bulgakov's novel. The book has earned itself something of a mystical reputation, often bringing bad luck to those involved with it.
Though one film adaptation (a Yugoslav-Italian co-production) came out in the '70s, followed by a cheap Polish animation version a decade later, in Bulgakov's homeland it has proved the kiss of death for at least one director.
Helmer Yury Cara completed a feature version, including some of Russia's best stars, back in 1994, but disagreements with his backers --typical of the so-called new Russians, who were still putting money into production without any particular interest in ever exhibiting the resulting pics -- has kept it locked in the vaults.
Cara, whose next project -- a feature due to be shot in space on the Mir space station -- never made it past the drawing board, doesn't even have a copy of his "Master" himself.
