When RTVS premiered the Mimi & Lisa animated series in 2013 it became an instant hit with young viewers, and in 2015 a further 13 parts were produced. The series has also been successful in France - with six of the fairy-tales screened in cinemas in a 45-minute block with over 70,000 viewers. Kids as far afield as Czech Republic, Belgium, Brazil, China, Canada, Hong Kong and other countries have also befriended Mimi & Lisa. And now the creators have come up with something truly amazing!
“Our French sales agent had the idea of a Christmas special,” said Katarína Kerekesová (co-director with Ivana Šebestová). “This was a big challenge – both because of the film’s length and the festive theme.”
Being blind, Mimi interprets the world through her sensitive touch and alert hearing. She and best friend Lisa have visited many fantastic worlds of fun and mystery. And now Christmas is nearly here. Mimi, Lisa and their neighbours decorate a magnificent tree – but the Christmas lights won’t work! Where have their warm glows gone? Have they fled to warmer climes or perhaps been stolen? A finger of suspicion points in the direction of friend-less neighbour Viliam. Mimi and Lisa take an adventurous journey into the past to bring their magical Christmas lights back! "Although the story is universal, its yuletide setting makes the fairy-tale full of wonder and joy,“ observes Katarína.
The film is complemented by music specially composed by Lucia Chuťková, in cooperation with Slovak Radio’s symphony orchestra and children’s choir. Slovak vocals were sung by Ela Tolstová from the Tolstoy cappella, while Markéta Irglová - an Oscar-winner with Glen Hansard for Once - sings the Czech version.
As well as directing Christmas Lights Mystery, Katarína Kerekesová and Ivana Šebestová were also co-writers (with Kataríná Moláková and Anna Vášová) and worked with Boris Šima on the film’s art design.
Mimi & Lisa: Christmas Lights Mystery was produced with support from the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, the Audiovisual Fund (SK), and the State Fund of Cinematography (CZ). In addition to Slovakia, France and the Czech Republic, interest has also been expressed by the RAI (Italy), RTV (Slovenia), and YLE TV 2 (Finland) television networks.
Genre: Animated TV special
Title: Christmas Lights Mystery
Animation technique: 2D cut-out
Lenght of the movie: 26 min
Target audience: 5 – 8 years
Country of origin: Slovakia
Script: Katarína Moláková, Katarína Kerekesová, Ivana Šebestová, Anna Vášová
Story editor: Halka Marčeková
Art design: Ivana Šebestová, Boris Šima, Katarína Kerekesová,
Technical director: Jozef Střelec
Compositing: Juraj Kráľ
Edit: Matej Beneš
Sound: Martin Merc
Music by: Lucia Chuťková Džubáková
Directed by: Ivana Šebestová
Producer: Fool Moon Ltd
Co-producers: Radio and Television Slovakia, Maurfilm
World sales: Planet Nemo Animation
