Alberto Vázquez Talks Grizzly New Conflict Fable ‘Unicorn Wars’

variety.com:

Holly Jones Following the success of his dystopian coming-of-age tale “Birdboy,” Spanish illustrator Alberto Vázquez brings another graphic novel to the big screen with his highly anticipated second feature “Unicorn Wars.” The film takes place between two worlds: an unscrupulous and industrial bear Bootcamp, where foul-mouthed pastel warriors prepare for battle, and a serene enchanted forest where black-hued and majestic unicorns frolic alongside pristine tree-lined lakes.

The tone grows ever more ominous as the cavalry ride through the woods, drawing nearer, forcing the docile creatures to defend their coveted surroundings.Sold internationally by Charades and distributed by UFO, “Unicorn Wars” is an apt depiction of humanity’s folly leading to internal and external conflict.

Innocence is haphazardly destroyed by the burst of a pink grenade while those in the trenches dig deep to figure out what led them to battle.

A co-production between Spain’s Abano Producións (“Valentina”) and Uniko (“Birdboy”) alongside France’s Autour de Minuit (“Swallow the Universe”) and Schumuby-Borderline Films (“Father & Son”), the film serves to advance Vásquez’s fascination with adolescence and the severity of everyday turmoil, focusing on religious zealotry, environmental decay and the ancient war machine.Ahead of the film’s debut in competition at the Annecy Festival, Vázquez spoke with Variety about animation’s appeal, shocking his audience, and creativity despite budgetary hurdles.How does animation serve your narratives better than live-action might?  Animation allows me to play with other types of movements, cameras and graphic treatments.