Art & Artists
TRAVELS ON MY DONKEY
Year: 2024
Classification: Exempt - Ronin Recommends: G
Runtime: 32 min
Produced In: Australia
Directed By: Lee Whitmore
Produced By: Jingjing Ma, Lee Whitmore
Language: English
Lee travels back in time on her donkey to meet her great-great-uncle, John Reed Hill, in Egypt in 1837. John and his wife Ann run a hotel in the Frank quarter of Cairo. When Lee arrives, Mr Hill is about to join an expedition led by an eccentric English aristocrat, Colonel Howard Vyse, to explore the pyramids of Gizeh. Lee rides along and her journey quickly becomes the adventure of a lifetime.
"All my films are autobiographical, and each one features me in some way. The script was developed when I discovered I had a great-great-uncle, John Reed Hill, who explored the pyramids of Gizeh in 1837.
"So, how to include myself in this tale? I was inspired by Clint Eastwood riding a mule into the opening scene of 'A Few Dollars More.' Following his lead, I thought I could ride a donkey back through time to meet John Hill.
"Paintings created by Western artists who visited Egypt and the Holy Land during that time have always inspired me. Many frames in this film are directly influenced by these artists' work. The colours of ancient Egypt and old Cairo are so beautiful that I chose to work in oils on glass to impart boldness and richness to the scenes."
- Lee Whitmore
VIEW TRAILER HERE: vimeo.com/1098142077
Written, directed and animated by Lee Whitmore
Producer and editor – Jing Jing Ma
Associate producer – Mark Stiles
Music by Burkhard Dallwitz
Sound designer – Derek Allan
© 2024, Lee Whitmore, Jing Jing Ma
FESTIVALS
BEST ANIMATION - Athens Art Film Festival
BEST SCREENWRITER - Egypt International Film Festival
HONORABLE MENTION - Titan International Film Festival, Australia
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Flickerfest International Short Film Festival, Australia
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Miami Womens' Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Art film Spirit Awards, Toronto
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Los Angeles Femme International Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Cambridge Short Film Festival, UK
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Palm Springs Animation Film Festival
OFFICIAL SELECTION - AniMate - Australia Animation Film Festival
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