This month, audiences can screen Kris the Cat on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.
Embark on a heartwarming journey in Kris the Cat, directed by Aimee Todoroff with voices by Kristin Cantwell, Helen Herbert and Russell Jordan. Written and produced by Ross G. Hewitt, the animated short film is all about a pampered feline longing for love.
Kris, the skilled mouse catcher of the Queen, ventures into the countryside, where he finds himself under the care of a compassionate girl and her father.
This captivating tale explores themes of friendship, maturity, and the universal quest for true love. With stunning 2D animation and enchanting narration, Kris the Cat will remind you that love can be found in the most unexpected places.
The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome writer and producer Ross Hewitt.
Ross, we love this film – what inspired you to create Kris the Cat? Was there a personal experience or observation that influenced the storyline?
The story was inspired by an old Icelandic folktale I discovered while researching the subject for a writing prompt. In the folktale, a commoner brings a cat to the king, who then solves the king’s rat problem. As a reward, the King offers the commoner a choice between land or the king’s daughter’s hand in marriage. The commoner chooses the daughter, foreseeing that he would eventually become king. This tale reflects common sense and Scandinavian practicality. However, it left me wondering about the fate of the cat. This curiosity led to the creation of Kris the Cat.
Having grown up with 13 cats, as my mother would take in cats from various people, we already had five cats, and then we added two more. Due to financial constraints, we couldn’t afford to get the last two cats neutered. As a result, they ended up fostering a litter of six kittens, all of which we decided to keep. The father of that litter, Eugene, became the role model for Kris.
In terms of the story, I wanted Kris to embark on a hero’s journey, similar to many fairy tales. It is through this journey that Kris learns new things, navigates new situations, and ultimately finds a new friend.
The animation in Kris the Cat is visually captivating. Could you provide some insights into the artistic choices and techniques used to bring the characters and world to life?
The animation style is 2-D, not 3-D, which was a deliberate choice to pay homage to the cartoons of my childhood. We aimed for characters that are boldly yet simply drawn, loosely based on the medieval period. The entire team contributed to the development of the characters. My old cat, Eugene, was the result of a cross between a calico and an orange tabby, and one of his kittens turned out to be calico as well. So, I wanted Freyja to be calico. Our oldest cat, Jenny, whom I was closest to out of the thirteen, was a gray tabby, so Kris is also partly an homage to her. Additionally, I wanted some diversity in the human characters.
In terms of voice, human actors played the cats. I wanted to capture their responses to each other. Growing up, I knew that cats can be very talkative and communicative. While we may not always understand what they are trying to say, I believe we often do. We gathered a top-notch group of professional actors for the voices, and I especially love the voice of the little girl.
The film conveys a message about the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. How did you approach incorporating this theme into the story, and what do you hope audiences take away from it?
As I enter the last third of my life, I often reflect on regrets. For me, the entire process of creating the film was a risk. It was a personal challenge I set for myself to test if I could truly accomplish it. Feeling lost and lonely is a universal experience shared by both children and adults. It’s during these moments that we feel the most scared, yet it’s also when we mustn’t give up. We never know when something good will come our way. This is precisely what happens to Kris.
Cats are inherently curious creatures, and their curiosity about the world is a trait that can teach humans a great deal. It takes curiosity to explore the world and venture beyond our comfort zones. I hope that audiences will embrace this message and be inspired to embrace curiosity, take risks, and discover new possibilities in their own lives.
The character of Kris the Cat is both relatable and endearing. How did you develop his personality and ensure that audiences would connect with his journey?
Cats, similar to humans, are highly social creatures. Kris yearns for a sense of connection with others. The desire to have a friend or a companion is something universal that resonates with everyone. It is this pursuit of companionship that we can all identify with and understand on a deep level.
Thank you Ross
C. M. Rubin and Ross Hewitt
Don’t miss Kris the Cat, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.
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