Ozi: Voice of the Forest

Last updated
Ozi: Voice of the Forest
Directed byTim Harper
Written byRicky Roxburgh
Produced by Mike Medavoy
Leonardo DiCaprio
Rodrigo Blaas
Ramsay McBean
Philip Watson
Keith Chapman
Graham Appleby
Adam Stanhope
Starring Amandla Stenberg
Laura Dern
Donald Sutherland
Djimon Hounsou
Production
companies
Distributed by Signature Entertainment (United Kingdom)
Ketchup Entertainment (United States)
Release dates
  • June 13, 2023 (2023-06-13)(Annecy)
  • August 16, 2024 (2024-08-16)(United Kingdom)
Running time
87 minutes
CountriesUnited Kingdom
France
United States
India
LanguageEnglish

Ozi: Voice of the Forest is a 2023 animated film written by Ricky Roxburgh and directed by Tim Harper. [1] [2] This film marked the final film role of Donald Sutherland before his death on June 20, 2024 at the age of 88 years. The film addresses the topic of deforestation and other ecological issues.

Contents

Plot

Ozi is a female orangutan baby living in the forest with her parents. One night, a fire provoked by humans separates her from her family. She is saved by Kirani, an environmental worker who manages a foster home for orphaned primates. After a few years Ozi manages to master sign language and becomes, through a translation device, an online influencer through educational videos. Later, she receives a tablet from a company inviting her to visit but Kirani denies her the present. Ozi opens the tablet at night and discovers the company hosts her parents, who have survived. With the help of Chance, she reaches the facility, a sort of artificial zoo gathering a few animals from the zones the company, which produces palm oil, has destroyed in order to instal palm plantations. When she discovers that, Ozi, with the help of Chance and other animals makes tries to free them from the facility. She only manages to escape death by publishing a video where she reveals the truth about the company, forcing them to stop their current destruction of more forest.

Cast

Production

In July 2021, it was announced that Stenberg and several other actors were cast in voice roles for the film. [1]

In October 2023, it was announced that Signature Entertainment acquired distribution rights to the film in the United Kingdom and Ireland. [2] In June 2024, it was announced that Ketchup Entertainment acquired North American rights to the film. [3]

Release

The film premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 13, 2023. [4] Full length scenes of the film were previously revealed at Annecy on June 15, 2022. [5] It was released in theaters in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2024. [6]

Reception

A review in The Guardian wrote,"Orangutan Ozi is an eco chimpfluencer in a film whose excellent animation is let down by underdeveloped characters and blind faith in social media activism." [7]

"Using clever narrative tricks, the story highlights the challenges animals face when their habitat is destroyed, offering a different perspective on the difficult environmental situation and reflecting on our relationship with nature and the importance of preserving it.", commented Il Mattino. [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 Kroll, Justin (July 12, 2021). "Amandla Stenberg, Laura Dern And Donald Sutherland Among Those Joining Environmental Animated Pic 'Ozi'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Ritman, Alex (October 31, 2023). "AFM: Leonardo DiCaprio's All-Star Animated Feature 'Ozi: Voice of the Forest' Sells to Signature for U.K., Ireland (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  3. ↑ Grobar, Matt (June 11, 2024). "Ketchup Entertainment Takes North America On Animated Feature 'Ozi, Voice Of The Forest' Starring Amandla Stenberg". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  4. ↑ Bleasdale, John (June 14, 2023). "Leonardo DiCaprio and Mike Medavoy Produced 'Ozi, Voice of the Forest' Kicks Off Kids' Franchise to Save the Environment". Variety. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  5. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (June 9, 2022). "Star-Studded 'Ozi: Voice of the Forest' Feature Reveals First Look at Annecy". Animation Magazine. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  6. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (July 10, 2024). "Trailer: 'Ozi: Voice of the Forest' Introduces Audiences to the Orangutan Eco Hero". Animation Magazine. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  7. ↑ Hoad, Phil (2024-08-10). "Ozi: Voice of the Forest review – simian version of Greta Thunberg takes on evil corporation". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  8. ↑ "Ozi - La Voix de la Forêt". www.ilmattino.it (in French). 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
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