Distribution company Pro:vzglyad has officially confirmed the release date for director Leonid Shmelkov’s feature-length animated thriller, Restless. The film is scheduled to arrive in Russian cinemas on July 30.
Restless marks Shmelkov’s debut as a feature director, crafted using the distinct rotoscoping technique. The narrative is loosely inspired by Julio Cortázar’s short story “House Taken Over.” The protagonists, Yasha and his companion Bernard, find themselves stranded at the enigmatic Hotel Rosa, isolated in the middle of nowhere. Their attempts to depart prove futile, as every path leads to a dead end, while increasingly unsettling and bizarre occurrences unfold. As the hotel gradually descends into disrepair, its guests begin to vanish without a trace.
The creative team behind the project features lead artist Maria Korzhova and lead animator Anastasia Lisovets, with Nikolai Makovsky serving as producer.
Even prior to its general theatrical debut, Restless has already garnered significant attention on the festival circuit. The film was showcased at the Moscow International Film Festival, Suzdalfest, and the Big Cartoon Festival, earning praise for its striking visual aesthetic and its unique fusion of mystic thriller tropes with avant-garde animation.
Source: Pro:vzglyad
Source: Film.ru