The Flying Sneaker

((Czech-Canadian--Live action/animation--Color))

A co-production of Kratky Film Praha and Les Productions La Fete; producers Rock Demers, Bedrich Strnad, Zdenek Polak; directed by Bretislav Pojar; idea and screenplay, Pojar and Jiri Fried; puppet creator and head animator, Pojar.

Alec ... Ludek Navratil
Lucy ... Katka Pokorna
Alec's Mother ... Katerina Machackova
Alec's Father ... Jaromir Hanzlik
Alec's Grandfather ... Lubor Tokos
Dr. Renc ... Vlastimil Brodsky
Teacher ... Jaroslava Kretschmerova
Principal ... Jirina Jiraskova
Lucy's Mother ... Lenka Skopalova
Lucy's Father ... Jan Hrvsinsky
Housekeeper ... Alena Kreuzmanova
Dodger ... Josef Hervert
Lucky ... Vaclav Cikanek
Peanuts ... Adam Novak

CANNES--Veteran Czech animator Bretislav Pojar makes a welcome return to North American screens with a delightful mix of live action and animation that should find a receptive audience.

Simple story focuses on 11 year-old Alec, whose father, a ship's captain, is away for long periods of time. The boy is not popular at school, doesn't mix with others and daydreams of the far-away places on the postcards sent by his father.

He spends most of his time with the girl next door and talking to his grandfather and a retired professor, whose comments about life give him more to dream about.

After his father sends a collection of cocoons, Alec awakens to find his room filled with butterflies--and a beautiful flying fairy.

When she and Alec play together, the screen lights up with a clever and charming combination of puppets and animation. Using her magic powers, Alec impresses everyone at school with his tricks, including making his sneaker fly.

But Alec derives no satisfaction from this because the tricks are not of his own making, and he learns that solitary days of fantasy aren't the way to live life to its fullest.

Technically, the film is an imaginative marvel and it should do well after its cinematic release among kids' collections in vid libraries.

Originally filmed in Czech, the English version has been carefully dubbed. A French version is being prepared.

Camera (color) Ervin Sanders, Vladimir Malik; special effects, Zdenek Pospisil; art direction, Vladimir Labsky, Tomas Moravec; puppet animation, Jan Klos, Vlasta Pospisilova; cartoonist, Paval Koutsky; production manager (animation), Milan Svatos; editor, Alois Fisarek; sound, Ivo Spal, Lumir Turek; music, Petr Skoumal; costume designer, Jitka Moravcoca-Polednova; postproduction, Lorraine du Hamel; Reviewed at Cannes Film Festival (Market) May 15, 1991. No MPAA rating. Running time: 90 min.

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