The secret of kells is a 2009 frenchbelgianirish animated fantasy film animated by cartoon saloon that premiered on 8 february 2009 at the 59th berlin. What does this possibly have to do with the secret of kells, one of this years oscar nominees for best animated feature. Her debut novel, tea with the black dragon, won the john w. The secret of kells tells the story of the construction of this mythical book from the eyes of a kid named brendan and his version of the world, his thoughts while growing, the people he meets and all the knowledge and experiences he acquires. Its intricate drawings incorporating celtic and christian traditions are a testament to the incredible craftsmanship of the medieval irish monks believed to have. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book. Here is a film about a young and very brave medieval monk named brendan, a sacred book, a storied monastery, a fairy girl, an alarming creature and a forest containing little nuts that make brilliant. The secret of kells official us page home facebook. I first saw the secret of kells a few years ago and immediately fell in love with the art style. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. Film guide a film guide that looks at the secret of kells 2009, exploring its key topics and themes through informal discussion. Rent the secret of kells 2009 on dvd and bluray dvd. The secret of kells is an absolutely magical story, with the most delicately beautiful animation i have seen. The secret of kells what is this remarkable animated.
The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds. In a remote medieval outpost of ireland, young brendan embarks on a new life of adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying a book brimming with. The academy award nomination for the secret of kells hints at the films brilliance. Come down and get one signed today or any day until sunday. The 12thcentury writer gerald of wales, in his topographia hibernica, described seeing a great gospel book in kildare which many have since assumed was the book of kells. The secret of kells is an absolutely fabulous, delightful, fanciful animated movie about young brendan who lives in the abbey of kells, where he becomes the great illuminator of the book of kells. Macavoy is a highly acclaimed author of imaginative and original science fiction and fantasy novels.
The idea was to look at the book of kells and medieval art in general and to try and translate that into a. The secret of kells, directed by tomm moore, concerns the book of kells, a medieval illuminated manuscript that ranks among the most important artifacts of irish civilization. To help complete the magical book, brendan has to overcome. While its not a faithful historical account of the creation of the book of kells it is a. At the start of the movie, abbot cellach appears big and mean, and wants full authority over brendan. It was stolen in the 11th century, at which time its cover was torn off and it was thrown into a ditch. Parents need to know that the secret of kells is an oscarnominated animated movie thats too intense for preschoolers and even young elementary schoolaged kids. Brendan is a young boy living in a walled medieval monastery town of kells. This book contains the harmony of the four evangelists according to jerome, where for almost every page there are different designs, distinguished by varied colours. The book of kells was probably produced in a monastery on the isle of iona, scotland, to honor saint columba in the early 8th century. It was simple yet amazingly intricate, and called back to the medieval illuminations by which it was inspired, particularly the illustrations in the famous book of kells.
Magic, fantasy, and celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in a. An illuminated manuscript written around 800ce, this exquisite work of art has stood for 1,200 years as the greatest example of medieval illumination and is one of the most studied books in. The secret of kells might rush it plot, but it visuals and what it culturally shares are mesmerizing. Thanks to jerry beck for this photo from comiccon of the designing the secret of kells books arriving at comic con.
Magic, fantasy, and celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in a sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times. These study notes are suitable for ks2 history, literacy and art. The secret of kells is about a boy named brendan who finds out about what is outside the walls of kells, which holds deep, dark secrets that little people know. The films final image is a poetic paean to the books living power a power that the secret of kells, like aisling, recognizes without, perhaps, fully understanding. After a viking raid, the book was moved to kells, ireland, sometime in the 9th century. With over 2000 of the oldest books housed in this gorgeous library, plus the book of kells, the 9th century gospel manuscript, what else could you ask for. The book of kells is an artistic masterpiece acclaimed as the most beautiful book ever written.
She has also written the damiano trilogy, the chronicles of a wizards young son, set during an alternate history version of the italian renaissance. Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, the secret of kells hearkens back to animations golden age with an. Tomm moores christians, pagans, fairy girls and beasts. To help complete the magical book, brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. The book of kells washingtoncenterville public library. Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, the secret of kells hearkens back to animations golden age with an enchanting tale inspired by irish mythology. The book of kells is a famous illuminated latin manuscript containing the four gospels of the new testament combined with beautiful illumination. Dating back to ad 800, the illuminated manuscript known as the book of kells is renowned for its extraordinary illustrations and ornamentations. Rent the secret of kells 2009 starring evan mcguire and christen mooney on dvd and bluray.
The book of kells isnt the only illuminated manuscript in the socalled insular style. Brendan gleeson, mick lally, evan mcguire, christen mooney, tomm moore. The secret of kells tweet share post bookmark subscribe understanding the struggle of youth is a difficult one especially for filmmakers, who. Young brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. Find out where the secret of kells is streaming, if the secret of kells is on netflix, and get news and updates, on decider. Before watching this film, i was convinced that nothing could give up a run for its money and that it was a shooin to win in this category, but i found in kells a serious contender. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin, ireland. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland. To help complete the magical book, brendan must overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest into the enchanted forest where he meets aisling, a mysterious young girl. Brother aidan tells brendan to bring the book to the people to give them hope in dark days, and even aisling, as noted above, acknowledges the books luminous power. Steeped in irish folklore, the movie includes scenes of barbarian invaders sweeping through towns, terrorizing and killing people with their swords and axes as they go.
The secret of kells t omm moores oscarnominated animation, set in 9thcentury ireland, reimagines the story of kells abbey, where the fabled book of kells was produced. The book turning darkness into light when iona was. Monks from the original monastery founded by st columba also set up other monastic communities including. The secret of kells is one of the most unique, beautiful, and eye popping animated films i have ever seen. Secret of kells takes on animation big boys in oscar. Book of kells was probably produced early in the 9th century by the monks of iona, working wholly or partially at iona itself or at kells, county meath, where they moved after 806 ad, the book of kells trinity college library dublin turning darkness into light when iona was attacked by vikings in a raid which left sixtyeight monks dead. The secret of kells what is this remarkable animated feature.
The films simple plot and premise is based on facts. It went into wide release in belgium and france on 11 february, and ireland on 3 march it was directed by tomm moore and codirected by nora twomey, produced by paul young, didier brunner and vivian van fleteren. In order to finish brother aidens book, brendan must overcome his deepest fears on a secret quest that will take him beyond the abbey walls and into the. Adventure awaits 12 year old brendan who must fight vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary book of kells. The secret of kells is a 2009 frenchbelgianirish animated fantasy film animated by cartoon saloon that premiered on 8 february 2009 at the 59th berlin international film festival. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. Set in a remote abbey in medieval ireland, the secret of kells follows the adventures of a boy a young monk in training as he works with an illuminator to finish the book of kells, the latin. The story while simplistic enriches us with a thoughtful story. The secret of kells tells the simple story of the boy behind the famed book of kells. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin.
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