I first met Michel Ocelot about ten years ago at a couple of festivals that we were both taking part in. Michel, a writer-director, has always been on the fringe in his approach towards the reality of animation. He demanded a lot from his films which are difficult to sell to television channels. Michel has a real talent as storyteller and director. I am a producer and I have a passion for animated films. I love to produce films that stand out creatively and that are different from the mainstream. With Michel, it really was a creative encounter. I had already produced one of his works: NIGHT TALES (LES CONTES DE LA NUIT), a collection of short tales compiled especially for television (CANAL+). Then I suggested that he write a feature-length film that I was ready to finance. Michel already had the idea for KIRIKOU, so that is how the adventure we now find ourselves in started. Producing an animation feature-film in France despite the crushing domination of American productions was a big gamble on our part. However, I believe that European audiences in general, and French audiences in particular, demand diversity in films and are culturally more sensitive than some audiences. KIRIKOU AND THE SORCERESS took us five years of hard work. It was a constant battle to ensure its financing and completion. The budget was underestimated for such an ambitious project and minor miracles were needed on a daily basis. This obviously resulted in anxiety and frustration on the creative and technical sides; we were as demanding as we could, but never enough because of financial restrictions and production deadlines sometimes dictated otherwise. Nevertheless, nothing that was of creative importance to the film was left out or sacrificed. The strength of this film, in my opinion, lies mainly in the outstanding quality of the text, in a genuine work of cinematography and a direction of the characters as if they were real actors. Everything that one loves about the cinema is found in this film. The beautiful and moving African flavor in the music of Youssou N'Dour gives an added creative dimension to the film. I believe that everything works in favor of KIRIKOU, an unexpected and captivating work. DIDIER BRUNNER