Paris-based sales agent Indie Sales has boarded “Maya, Give Me a Title,” a stop-motion project directed by Michel Gondry (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) and narrated by Pierre Niney (“The Count of Monte Cristo”).
The film revolves around Gondry’s long-distance relationship with his daughter. As they live in two different countries, Gondry asks his daughter every evening, “Maya, give me a title.” Based on her answer, he creates a short animated reply in which Maya is the hero. Gondry’s long-time partner, Georges Bermann at Partizan Films, is producing, while The Jokers Films will release it in France.
Besides “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” Gondry’s well known films also include “The Science of Sleep,” “Be Kind Rewind” and more recently “The Book of Solutions.”
Stop-motion has been a personal trademark of the director since his early music videos such as Björk’s “Human Behaviour” and The White Stripes’ “Fell in Love with a Girl.”
Indie Sales has a strong track record with premium European animation, having previously handled “My Life as a Zucchini,” which sold in more than 80 territories, as well as “No Dogs or Italians Allowed” which won prizes at Annecy and the European Film Awards.
Constance Poubelle at Indie Sales said, “Michel Gondry once again takes us into his unique world with this poetic and enchanting declaration of love from a father to his daughter. ‘Maya, Give Me a Title’ is a surefire hit for his international audience easily crossing over to families worldwide.” A sequel, narrated by Blanche Gardin, is currently in post-production.
Indie Sales’ fall slate includes Venice award winner “Happy Holidays” by Scandar Copti, and the upcoming films “It Takes Two to Tango” by Jean-Pierre Améris and Laura Wandel’s “L’interet d’Adam.”
Watch the trailer for “Maya, Give Me a Title” below.