Animated Horror Romance "Pesta" Set for 2029 Release

“Pesta,” an animated romantic horror film directed by Hanne Berkaak, is currently in development and is expected to be released in 2029. The film is a collaboration between Charades, Mikrofilm, and the Oscar-winning U.S. distributor GKids. It will be presented on February 13 during the European Film Market as part of the Annecy Animation Showcase. The project is produced by Norway’s Mikrofilm, Germany’s Knudsen Pictures, and French companies Rosalie Films and Charades.

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Set in Norway during the year 1349, “Pesta” explores the impact of the Black Death on society, focusing on a noble girl named Astrid who experiences her first love with a musician labeled as unholy. The narrative delves into themes of fear, superstition, and the questioning of societal truths, paralleling medieval anxieties with contemporary global crises. Berkaak aims to create relatable characters for a modern young adult audience while highlighting the brutality of youth during the plague, ultimately framing the story as one of love and hope amidst despair.

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Berkaak, in discussing his motivation for the film, stated, “Catastrophes expose structural illusions a society is built upon, and often have a way of bringing people together.” He emphasizes the importance of portraying the harsh realities of youth during historical crises while also conveying a message of resilience. Producer Tonje Skar Reiersen expressed gratitude for the involvement of Charades and GKids, noting their passion and experience in elevating independent animation projects.

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Charades, known for its successful animation projects like “I Lost My Body” and the Oscar-winning “Flow,” began tracking “Pesta” from its treatment stage. The company highlighted the film's unique visual language and strong storytelling as key factors in their involvement. GKids, which has a distribution slate that includes the Oscar-nominated “Little Amelie or the Character of Rain,” expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating they “fell in love with the project at first sight.”

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The development of “Pesta” has received backing from several organizations, including Creative Europe MEDIA, The Norwegian Film Institute, Viken Film Centre, The Norwegian Arts Council, and Norsk Illustrasjonsfond. Additionally, the project was awarded the Eurimages Development Award for Co-Productions at Cartoon Movie. Distribution will be handled by Animation Addicts in Germany and Norsk Filmdistribusjon in Norway.

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• “With ‘Pesta,’ our goal is to create characters that are complex and relatable to a contemporary young adult audience, even though the story unfolds in a medieval world,” — Hanne Berkaak, Director

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• “It’s very seldom we come across horrific romances that feel topical and contemporary despite being set in the medieval era.” — Charades Statement

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• “We feel privileged to have Charades and GKids on board for ‘Pesta,'” — Tonje Skar Reiersen, Producer

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“Pesta” represents a unique blend of genres and historical context, aiming to resonate with audiences through its exploration of love and societal challenges during one of history's darkest periods.

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