Calamity Jane made its US premiere on Animation First’s opening night, Friday, February 5, with an exclusive one-night-only screening. Due to overwhelming interest, FIAF, production company Maybe Movies, and film distributor Indie Sales are pleased to present an encore screening of the film over the final four days of the Festival!
Dir. Rémi Chayé, 2020, 85 min
In French with English subtitles
Winner of the Crystal Award for best feature at the 2020 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, this lush period piece centers on the young 19th-century American heroine who would become the icon, Calamity Jane.
As she travels across the US frontier on a wagon train, young Martha Jane Cannary astonishes her fellow travelers when she breaks gender norms to lead her family’s covered wagon and take care of the horses. While she never felt freer, the brazen act brings scorn and anger from her community. Accused of stealing, Martha Jane strikes out on her own and tries to vindicate herself under a newly minted name, Calamity Jane. Her adventures, on the open frontier where men and women pioneers strive to build better lives, shape Calamity Jane into one of the legendary figures of the Wild West.
This feminist retelling shows how young Martha Jane Cannary fought against a sexist and male-dominated society to become an iconic frontierswoman.
“It’s an honor to bring Calamity Jane to FIAF’s Animation First. As an American tale, adapted by a French filmmaker, it feels uniquely suited to receive its US Premiere at this Festival.” — Rémi Chayé
Live Conversation with Rémi Chayé
Saturday, February 6 at 2pm
In English
Rémi Chayé, in a conversation with filmmaker and professor Hsiang Chin Moe, will take us through the making of his newest film Calamity Jane. He will also speak about his career in animation including his award-winning first feature Long Way North (2015).
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