Marcel The Shell With Shoes On
In partnership with Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival
Meet Marcel, a tiny talking shell, on a big-hearted big-screen adventure, as tender and funny as it is insightful and poignant.
The surprise hit of NZIFF 2022, this hilarious and heartwarming story is all about finding connection and community, even in the smallest of corners. Gently incorporating themes of separation, loneliness and grief, Dean and Jenny have created a magnificent film for all ages that beautifully balances laugh-out loud gags with the perfect amount of hit-you-in the-heart emotion.
Marcel is an adorable and charming little shell (voiced by the ever-brilliant Jenny Slade) who ekes out a colourful existence with his grandmother Connie (Isabella Rossellini) and their pet lint, Alan. Once part of a sprawling community of shells, they now live alone as the sole survivors of a mysterious tragedy. But when a documentary filmmaker (Dean Fleischer-Camp) discovers them amongst the clutter of his Airbnb, the short film he makes brings Marcel millions of passionate fans, as well as unprecedented dangers and a new shot at finding his long-lost whānau.
Saturday, 1 October
12:15pm-1:45pm
Feature, 90 minutes, USA, 2021
Directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp
Rating: PG
Recommended for: Ages 7+
“Many films claim to be an antidote to this moment in history, but Marcel’s flick might be the first one I’ve seen in the past two years that actually fits that bill.”