Azur and Asmar: The Princes Quest

Star Review

Azur et Asmar is beautiful. Inspired, in part, by the work of Lotte Reiniger, and sitting perfectly alongside Ocelot’s earlier work, Kirikou and the Sorceress, it’s a fairy tale adventure with a global resonance, centring on relations between races and cultures. The fantastical story centres on the adventures of a young man who sets out to find a fabled fairy princess. His adventures test heart, mind and body and it’s thrilling to watch unfold. It reminds us how powerfully a film can use all the attractions of entertainment to explore the bigger picture. The film is sumptuously designed and a little unexpected in its animation style. As such, it is totally compelling. Ocelot has explained how his childhood relates to his filmmaking: “I knew nothing but happiness in Africa …there were Catholics, Protestants, Animists, Muslims. It was natural and I internalised this relaxedness … I have memories of jubilation from gazing at passers-by ... I became conscious of beauty – of people, of clothing, of lanscapes…”

James Clarke on 7th February 2008

View all 7 of James Clarke’s reviews

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Film Description

From acclaimed director Michel Ocelot (Kirikou and the Sorceress) comes a new animated story for the whole family to enjoy. Once upon a time there were two children, Azur, the son of a nobleman, and Asmar, the son of the nanny. As kids, they fought and loved each other as brothers. As grown ups, they become rivals in the quest for the djinn's fairy.A fantastical adventure set in magical, mythical lands.

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DVD Extras

• Enhanced for WideScreen TV
• Bonus footage
• Trailers
• Interviews (Michel Ocelot (Director))
• Other documentariesImage gallery
• 'The Princess and the Pendant' animation by Hartside Primary School

Film Details

Technical Details