Legendary road cyclist Gino Bartali inspires new animated feature
Toonz Media Group has teamed up with Lynx Multimedia Factory, Rai Ragazzi, Telegael and TVCO for animated feature inspired by Gino Bartali
Global animation major Toonz Media Group and Lynx Multimedia Factory, Rai Ragazzi and Telegael is collaborating on co-producing an animated feature, which would have as its focus the themes of tolerance, team-work and diversity. Toonz Media Group is a known name in the animation arena and is based in Kerala.
Provisionally titled Bartali’s Bicycle, inspired by Bartali’s daring acts of courage and humanism during World War II, the animation feature would be ready for release by early 2023.
The animated feature will be shown in Italy by RAI and distributed worldwide by Toonz and Rome-based distribution and production company TVCO. The PG-rated 2D animated feature will be targeted at the 7+ and family audience.
Based on Gino Bartali’s services for holocaust victims
Set in the modern day in the Middle East, the 80-minute feature follows two young boys from rival communities who are brought together by their shared love for cycling. The movie’s theme is woven around Bartali’s awe-inspiring services for holocaust victims during World War II.
The development, pre-production and picture post-production of the movie will be led by Lynx Studio in Italy while the animation production will be done at Toonz studios in India. Final backgrounds and sound post-production will be carried out at Emmy Award-winning Irish studio and Toonz group company Telegael, who will also handle some elements of pre-production.
The film has on board an illustrious creative team with Enrico Paolantonio helming the direction and Sabrina Callipari as head of production. The original idea of the movie is by the late Roman writer Israel Cesare Moscati, who also developed the subject and screenplay along with Marco Beretta.
Noted Italian comic book artist Corrado Mastantuono handles the character designs for the project while illustrator Andrea Pucci is the background artist. Valentina Mazzola dons the role of Script Editor.
Bartali’s Bicycle expected to charm audiences
“Bartali saved many Jewish lives during the Nazi occupation of Italy by concealing their documents in his bicycle. The feature begins sixty years later, when Bartali’s bicycle becomes the tool and symbol of victory for David, a smart and sensitive Jewish boy. David accepts the challenge of winning a cycling championship together with his Arab friend Ibrahim, violating rules but making peace and tolerance triumph between their communities,” Toonz Media Group CEO P. Jayakumar.
Bartali’s Bicycle is a story that will resonate with audiences all across the world. It is exactly the kind of story that Toonz is committed to relate to the younger generation. This is, indeed, a prestigious project for Toonz and we are very excited to team up with our amazing partners Lynx, Rai Ragazzi, TVCO and Telegael for this international co-production, he added.
“Gino Bartali was not only a great cycling champion, but a man who risked his life to fight racism and discrimination and for this he was honoured as Righteous among the nations. In a world still plagued by wars and conflicts, his fast and brave bicycle is a symbol of peace for kids and families. That is why RAI has promoted the project of this important film from the very beginning”, said Luca Milano, Director of RAI Kids.
According to Lynx Multimedia Factory CEO Evelina Poggi, “it is wonderful to share with our partners’ themes such as solidarity in sports, altruism in life, friendship that wins over everything, and more in- depth important topics such as the Shoah and civil coexistence, and try the best way to represent them in animation.”
Lynx Multimedia Factory is a Rome and Milan-based animation production company. From the beginning it has developed projects with a transmedia imprint, while maintaining its core business in the cartoon with a focus on quality animation.
