In anticipation of concessions and film festivals across North America, the much-anticipated 4K remaster of the classic 1985 anime “Angel’s Egg” is set to dazzle audiences. Directed by the esteemed Mamoru Oshii and featuring the stunning artwork of Yoshitaka Amano, “Angel’s Egg” (original title: “Tenshi no Tamago”) will grace screens with a fresh, high-definition version starting this autumn.
World Premiere and Festival Screenings
Even before its North American debut, the 4K remaster made waves at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival, where it premiered during the Cinema de la Plage event. May 20 marked the world premiere of this celebrated remaster, setting a high standard for its subsequent screenings.
Following Cannes, New Yorkers will be among the first to witness the 4K revival in North America. The classic anime will feature in the “Revivals” category at the 63rd New York Film Festival (NYFF), with screenings scheduled for September 27 and 30, as well as October 4 and 6. The film will also be showcased at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, running from September 18 to September 25.
Festival-goers in Spain will have the opportunity to enjoy the remastered “Angel’s Egg” at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival, taking place from October 9 to October 19.
North American Screenings and Distribution
The theatrical release across North America is slated to commence on November 19, thanks to GKIDS, a leading distributor of fine animation. Earlier this year, Tokyo’s publisher Tokuma Shoten announced a aforementioned remaster. The remaster is created from a newly scanned 35mm film negative, ensuring a pristine visual experience.
Historic Context and Creative Team
This 4K remaster comes from the original OVAnime (Original Video Anime) “Angel’s Egg,” which first debuted in Japan in 1985. The anime was brought to life under the direction of Mamoru Oshii. Oshii, alongside Yoshitaka Amano, crafted the story, while Oshii also penned the screenplay. The film was produced by Hiroshi Hasegawa, Masao Kobayashi, Mitsunori Miura, and Yutaka Wada, with art direction by Amano and music composed by Yoshihiro Kanno. Studio DEEN handled the production.
Known for its unique narrative and haunting visuals, the original “Angel’s Egg” has previously been celebrated in New York. The Japan Society hosted a screening in September 2023. Outside this screening, the film had not been widely available in the West in its original form. In 1987, Carl Colpaert’s live-action/animated film “In the Aftermath” utilized footage from the original “Angel’s Egg.”
The anticipated 4K remaster promises to reintroduce audiences to this timeless work, setting the stage for future restorations of influential anime films.
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Soon, HBO Max will offer “Angel’s Egg” as part of a new partnership with GKIDS, making the anime more accessible than ever. Anime festivals and cultural institutions alike eagerly await fans’ reactions to this groundbreaking remaster.
News Source: Anime News Network
