Peter & the Wolf Peter & the Wolf

Peter & the Wolf, produced by BreakThru Films, is a new animated film version of Prokofiev’s classic work directed by an extraordinary new animation talent, Suzie Templeton set to a special new recording by the Philharmonia Orchestra. Prokofiev’s story has resonated deeply with over five generations of children worldwide, enchanted by its power and sense of fun. This new film re-works Prokofiev’s popular tale, giving it some 21st century twists and an environmental theme, whilst staying true to the original story.

Synopsis
Peter, a young orphan, lives in a fortified cottage on the edge of a deep Russian forest, guarded by his over-protective Grandfather.
Isolated from those who live in the town and ignored by the local children, Peter’s only friends are his pet Duck and a mischievous Bird, who entice him to seek adventure outside the walls of the cottage.  Despite his Grandfather forbidding Peter from going beyond the boundary walls, Peter’s curiosity gets the better of him.  Stealing the keys, he bursts out into the wild forest to explore. An argument breaks out between Bird and Duck, attracting the attention of Grandfather’s fat Cat. The commotion outside the gates wakes Grandfather, who marches Peter back inside.  It is only when Peter is safe within the cottage that the Wolf comes into view.  Mortal peril allows the fat Cat to defy gravity and climb to the precarious safety of a thin branch, but Duck is not so lucky.  As she runs for her life, Wolf sees its dinner.  Duck is too slow, and Wolf eats her in one gulp. But boys like Peter are not afraid of wolves.  With the help of Bird, Peter climbs onto the cottage wall and into the tree and lassoes Wolf, only to be pulled out of the tree and to find himself swinging perilously close to Wolf’s snapping jaws.  But they are at an impasse; every time Wolf lunges for Peter, his movements pull Peter just out of reach. In an ineffectual blaze of bullets, two hunters, Fats and Ratty, make their way through the forest, until they stumble upon Peter and the exhausted Wolf.  The sight of Wolf throws them into a panic and they shoot madly in all directions. Grandfather rushes out, shotgun in hand, but Peter has things under control.  Together, they put Wolf into a cage, and then tie the cage to the roof of Grandfather’s battered car. Wolf will fetch a good price at the city market, where a crowd has formed around the car.  Everyone is amazed that Peter has caught Wolf.  The crowd jeers at and pokes the imprisoned Wolf. Despite being the boy of the moment, who has succeeded where adults have failed, Peter sees the consequences of his actions.  Before it is too late, he springs open Wolf’s cage.  Wolf runs into the panic-stricken crowd and bounds back to the depths of the Russian forest.
 
Characters

Peter
Peter is an adventurous young boy who lives with his Grandfather on the edge of a huge wild forest. Peter is sure that many exciting adventures await him on the other side of their fence, but he has never been allowed to find out, until he finally takes matters into his own hands.
The music of Peter is played by the Strings in the Orchestra.

Bird
Bird is mischievous and clever. His broken wing doesn’t stop him from flying, with the help of a kind Peter and a blue balloon. He helps Peter outwit the Wolf by landing on the wolf’s nose and distracting him!
The music of Bird is played by the Flute in the Orchestra.

Duck
Peter’s sweet and gentle friend; the Duck has wonderful fun skating on the ice, but is too slow and gets eaten by the Wolf.
The music of Duck is played by the Oboe in the Orchestra.

Grandfather
Grandfather loves Peter very dearly, and wants to protect him from the dangers of the wild forest. He is old and likes to take a lot of naps to soothe his aching bones.
The music of Grandfather is played by the Bassoon in the Orchestra.

Cat
Grandfather’s fat pet Cat is vain and lazy. He likes to take long naps with Grandfather and hates getting wet! He likes to chase the Bird and the Duck for fun.
The music of Cat is played by the Clarinet in the Orchestra.

Hunters
Fats and Ratty are two hunters eager to catch the Wolf. They are big, mean bullies who are very nasty to Peter and the other children. Deep down they are cowardly, and run in fear when they hear gunshots!
The music of the Hunters is played by the Timpani in the Orchestra.


Awards
•    Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2007    
-    Annecy Cristal
-    Annecy Audience Award
•    Pulcinella Italian Television Animation Awards, Cartoon on the Bay Festival 2007
         -     Best European Program of the Year
•    47th Rose d’Or Festival for Television Programming
-    Winner, Performing Arts Category
•    Special Prize, Krok Festival
•    Oscar  for the BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

Suzie Templeton - Director & Screenplay Adaptation    
BAFTA-winning director Suzie Templeton burst onto the international animation scene with her multi-award winning film Stanley, a surreal and darkly comic story of a man who falls in love with a cabbage. She followed this with the phenomenally successful Dog, a heart breaking and chilling film about a boy coming to terms with the death of his mother. This film has won many of the animation world’s top prizes, including a British Animation Award and a BAFTA. In collaboration with BreakThru films, Suzie has recently completed a new half-hour adaptation of Prokofiev’s classic Peter & the Wolf, which premiered with live orchestral accompaniment at the Royal Albert Hall in September 2006. It has been nominated for a BAFTA and can be seen at live orchestral screenings, on TV and DVD worldwide.

Sergei Prokofiev (1891 – 1953) - Composer
Sergei Prokofiev is a major figure of the 20th century and one of its most popular composers.  He studied at St. Petersburg Conservatoire with Rimsky-Korsakov and Liadov.  His early works gave him the reputation of an enfant terrible, firstly due to the influence of Scriabin, later because of violent motoric constructivism, such as Scythian Suite.  His brilliance as a virtuoso pianist was demonstrated in a series of concertos.  He left Russia in 1918 for the USA, whilst his compositional career centred on Paris.  Prokofiev’s stage works premièred in the 1920’s included  the operas, The Love for Three Oranges and The Gambler, and the ballets commissioned by Diaghilev, Chout, Le Pas d’acier and The Prodigal Son.  He returned to Russia to rediscover his roots in 1936, but soon came under political attack from the cultural commissars.  Prokofiev’s works from his Soviet years are among his most celebrated: Peter and the Wolf, the opera War and Peace and the ballets Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella.  He died in 1953, on the same day as Stalin.  Throughout his output Prokofiev’s music is characterised by a sharp wit, memorable melodies and vivid instrumental colour.