Shout! Factory Films has announced a release date for the animated film “Long Way North” and unveiled a new trailer in anticipation.
The film, according to its official synopsis, is set in the late 19th century Saint Petersburg and tells “the story of a young heroine, persevering through a physical and emotional journey to find her explorer grandfather and his lost ship, the Davai. Sacha, a young girl from the Russian aristocracy, dreams of the Great North and anguishes over the fate of her grandfather, Oloukine, a renowned scientist and Arctic explorer who has yet to return from his latest expedition to conquer the North Pole. Sacha has always been fascinated by the adventurous life of her grandfather and has the same calling as Oloukine to be an explorer. But Sacha’s parents, who already made arrangements for her marriage, strongly disapprove the idea to say the least. Defying her destiny, Sacha flees her home and launches an adventure-filled quest toward the Great North in search of Oloukine and his ship.”
“Long Way North” won the Audience Award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and the Grand Prize and the Governor of Tokyo Award at Tokyo Animation Festival 2016.
The story seems a little reminiscent of another upcoming fearless heroine hitting the sees: Disney’s “Moana.” But instead of heading into the Pacific, this brave young woman makes her way to the frigid north.
“Long Way North” will hit theaters in Los Angeles and New York on September 30, to be followed by openings in additional cities.