Jana Prchalova is a Czech trained animator and illustrator who has lived and worked in Glasgow for ten years. Her new movie, Mondo's Search for the Sun was conceived shortly after she arrived here to work as an au pair. A graduate from film school in Prague, where she was taught by the world reknowned Bretislav Pojar, she didn't want to work in commercial animation and for a while thought of pursuing her dream of being an illustrator of children's books. But her paintings soon attracted attention, as did her graduation film, Desire. She was offered a place on Scottish Screen's Generating Animations Skills Programme GASP, which lead, eventually, to Mondo being made.
The snowy scenes throughout the film reflect Jana's physical and emotional response to finding herself alone in a strange, cold country. Mondo, the lonely protagonist, employs all his ingenuity and imagination to find the warm innocence of childhood, but is it enough to feel "the sun" again?
Bohemia is the original name for the Czech republic: this film is no smart ass, cynical, post-modern production. It is as serious as it is sensitive and playful. Produced in collaboration with the Glasgow digital animation studio OnceWereFarmers and Scottish Screen, there is two years intensive work in Mondo. The animation is of a style and quality seldom seen here, because it combines Jana's traditional 2D illustrations with the 3D wizardry oncewerefarmers are so good at. It's only a matter of time before the full length film is screened. Just as well Jana settled here and didn't follow most of her compatriots to London. Mondo is real coup for Scotland.
Jana's illustrations are charming, moving and sometimes for sale. You can see more examples from my earlier blog Scotland's Animation Talent. If you want to work with Jana or commission a print, you can get her at janaprchalova@hotmail.com She also has her own page on 38minutes the social network for Scotland's creative media professionals
Comments