Canada's first stop-motion animation feature "Edison and Leo" revolves around quirky inventor George T. Edison and his superhero son, a tale that is sure to entrance even the most jaded adult audiences.
This 80-minute fairy tale from Telefilm Canada was written by TV veteran Daegan Fryklind and George Toles, a frequent Guy Maddin collaborator.
In his quest to create a viable electric light bulb, Edison accidentally electrocutes his child. The "Electric Boy" grows up, his life filled with wild adventures because he can't touch a single living soul.
"His special problem makes him a danger to everyone. That leads to a lot of tortured psychology below the surface, including some sexual repression," says director Neil Burns.
Visually reminiscent of such films as "Wallace & Gromit" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas," the inherent riskiness in stop-motion animation is a buzz for Burns.
"Unlike CGI films you can put hours into one shot. Then a light pops or something else goes wrong. All you've done is lost," says Burns. "It's harder to do but the risk factor is exciting."
Launching TIFF's Canada First! program, "Edison and Leo" has yet to top 2007's lauded stop-motion animation short, "Madame Tutli-Putli." That gem by Montreal filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski won the Canal Plus Award for best short film and the Petit Rail d'Or for best short film in 2007.
"If we get anywhere near that response after our world premiere at TIFF I'll be overwhelmed," says Burns. "This is an indie film for grownups. I think they'll appreciate that -- and all the strangeness."
