The Queen's Monastery (1998)

• 61%
• 1998
• Animation
• Emma Calder

THE QUEEN'S MONASTERYFormat 35mm, Eastman Colour, length 6mins.Conceived, animated and directed by EMMA CALDER. Music by Leos Janacek. Produced by Pearly Oyster Productions 1998 © Pearly Oyster Productions/ BBC BristolA Pearly Oyster/ BBC Bristol co-production made with financial assistance from the London Production Fund, The Queen's Monastery was the first animated film to receive money from the National Lottery.Inspired by Leos Janacek's Sinfonietta, The Queen's Monastery is about a woman whose lover, a former acrobat, has returned to her from war a changed man. Using a highly individual watercolour technique the narrative explores themes of love, escapist fantasy, obsession and guilt.Shown as a support for Love Is The Devil and other features throughout the UK. Distributed on film by Spike & Mike's Touring Animation in over 50 cinemas in North America. Non-exclusive video and DVD with Spike & Mike.Shown at international animation festivals.Best Professional Film; Bradford International Animation Festival, Special Jury Prize; Zagreb, Second Prize; Dresden, Silver Hugo; Chicago, Honourable Mention; Cinanima Portugal.The Queen's Monastery is featured in In Short: A Guide to Short Film Making in the Digital Age by Andrew Kelly and Eileen Elsey, published by the BFI.