GKIDS has just released the trailer for the US release of April and the Extraordinary World. This film releases March 25, 2016, and if it is not on your animation calendar, it should be. Made by some of the producers of Persepolis and directed by Christian Desmares and Franck Ekinci, April and the Extraordinary World looks like a really special film.

Steampunk has not had a great history in the world of movies, but April and the Extraordinary World might be a film that can pull off that aesthetic well. It is set in an alternate reality version of France, 1941, where a Napoleon V has ruled for 70 years. Evidently he or somebody seems to be doing away with all of the scientists. Where are they going? What is happening? When April’s scientist parents end up missing, she begins a search to find them.

Doesn’t that sound like a cool premise?

It’s also nice to see one 2D animated film in the mix this year (aside from the 1991 animated film being released Only Yesterday from Studio Ghibli). I think that will help it feel even more beautiful and fresh.

I am a little surprised the trailer is subtitled and not dubbed. I’m assuming that the film will be like that, which is odd for a GKIDS release. It seems like it could do better with a dubbing but maybe with the success of Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos last year, they are giving subtitles a shot?

The only name that will probably be recognizable to American audiences is Marion Cotillard voicing April.

Here’s the trailer:

What do you think?  Does the trailer or plot description entice you? It certainly does for me! Do you think the subtitles will be a barrier?

Edited by: Kelly Conley