Film Affinity,
December 1, 2011

Crítica de Caith_Sith a Ingrid Pitt: Beyond The Forest
by Caith_Sith (in Spanish)
(Excerpt)

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

Se indica en la propia página web de "Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest" que "las memorias del Holocausto han sido reflejadas en cada medio, pero rara vez en la animación". No les falta razón pero hay que asumir una terrible verdad y es que los grandes estudios siguen encontrando en la animación una forma fácil de llegar al público más joven sin importarles que hay adultos que también necesitan ser alimentados de buen cine (animado). Kevin Sean Michaels, director del presente corto, realiza una labor loable al liberarse de todas estas imposiciones para dar forma a un corto que no busca llegar a los infantes (a pesar de que podrían verlo por su valor pedagógico) sino a un público más amplio, y supone además una colaboración extraña en la teoría pero sólida en la práctica: Perry Chen, un animador de 11 años, ha hecho equipo con el dos veces nominado al Oscar Bill Plympton, dando así forma a uno de los mejores cortometrajes animados de 2011.

Read full review in Spanish

Translation into English by the author, used by permission:

On the "Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest" official website we can read that "memories from the Holocaust have been portrayed in almost every medium, but rarely animation." This is true but we have to accept a terrible truth: majors use animation only to reach the younger audience without thinking about the adults who are hungry for good (animated) films. Kevin Sean Michaels, director of this short, does a great job in freeing himself from all those impositions to create a film that is not directly focused on the younger audience (even though they could watch it for its high pedagogic value), but one which was created with an adult audience in mind. It is also special because it meant a collaboration which seemed weird in theory but turned out to be very solid in practice: Perry Chen, an 11-year-old animator, and the two-time Academy Award nominee Bill Plympton working together to bring life to one of the greatest short films of 2011, including non-animated films.

Ingrid Pitt, a Holocaust survivor and also a 1970s cult actress, tells us, in the first person, the story of how she escaped from her prison and survived that atrocity. She died last year at the age of 73, so this film is her last and probably greatest work. The main thing here is the message, to listen carefully to that perfectly narrated heart-rending testimony, made into pictures by Chen in tune with Plympton (who did 23 storyboards and also designed the characters). Their clean and simple style fits perfectly with the dramatic narration, achieving an emotional and at the same time horrific tone. "Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest" is surprising for its strong speech. And although we can feel Plympton's style in it, it doesn't outshine Chen's and Michaels' parts.

A work that deserves more recognition (unfortunately, it has not been selected for the Academy Awards nominations, but it was in the first 45 short films list), "Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest" proves that animation can be more than a "genre," as it uses it only as a medium to tell a powerful story that could be told, without many changes, in a live action feature.

Pacific San Diego Magazine,
November 28, 2011

Sitting Tall: Carmel Valley kid writes own ticket to fame by rating, and making, family films
by Dean Lamanna
(Excerpts)

At an age when most grade-schoolers are twiddling their thumbs (or, between fits of digital fury on their Wii systems, still sucking them), Perry Chen has become known for turning his up or down.

The 11-year-old Torrey Hills Elementary student is earning notice regionally and nationally, writing film reviews for The San Diego Union-Tribune, the online publication Animation World Network and his own blog. . . .

Meanwhile, a meeting with Oscar-nominated animator Bill Plympton and producer-director Kevin Sean Michaels at Comic-Con 2009 sent the youngster's mind in another creative direction. . . .

With approval from Chen's mother, Plympton and Michaels storyboards for Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest, a true story about an eight-year-old girl who escapes from a concentration camp.

"I learned a lot about the history of World War II and the prisoners' lives during the Holocaust," says Chen, who had to learn how to use computer-based animation tools for the project.

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Animation Magazine,
November 15, 2011

Academy Screens 45 Shorts for Oscar Consideration
by Ramin Zahed
(Excerpts)

Last weekend, the Academy screened the 45 projects that were submitted for Best Animated Shorts consideration. Members of the Shorts and Animation branch of the Academy will vote for the 10 titles to be included on the short list and we will finally learn about the final five nominees with the rest of the contenders on Jan. 24.

Here is the list of the submitted shorts, which is a healthy mix of shorts produced by studios such as Disney, Pixar, Sony Pictures Animation and Warner Bros., international entries from Studio AKA, Platige Image, BreakThru Films, Human Ark, Axis Animation, National Film Board of Canada and submissions from indie animators such as David Levy, David Chai and Koji Yamamura:

• Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest by Kevin Sean Michaels USA

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Cartoon Brew,
November 15, 2011

List of 45 Oscar Qualifying Shorts
by Jerry Beck
(Excerpts)

Here's the list of qualified shorts, screened this past weekend for members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . . .

Members of the Short Film and Feature Animation branch will soon vote, creating a shortlist of ten films from this 45. A second round of voting, also restricted to members of the Short Films and Feature Animation branches, will narrow it down to the five nominees for Best Animated Short Film Oscar. The final vote, which determines the winner, is open to all Academy members provided that they have watched every nominated short. It's a wide open field this year with a variety of techniques and themes; four major studio shorts (from Pixar, Warners, Sony, Disney) up against some of the best talents from around the world, along with student films and independent fare. Can't wait to see who makes it to the shortlist. Good luck to all!

Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest by Kevin Sean Michaels USA

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Animation World Network,
November 14, 2011

The Academy Screens the Next Oscar-Winning Animated Short
by Dan Sarto
(Excerpts)

Yesterday, the Motion Picture Academy screened 45 qualified animated short films for short list voting in a program from which the eventual 2011 Oscar winner will be chosen. . . .

The LA screening, to be followed by a New York screening next week, presented 45 short films for attending Academy members. From these 45 films, the annual 10 film "short list" will be chosen for voting by the members of the Short Films and Animated Features branch, which will whittle the list down to the final 5 nominees. These nominees are then voted on by the entire Academy membership at designated screenings. . . .

The complete 45 film list is as follows:

Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest
Directed by Kevin Sean Michaels USA
http://ingridpitt.co.uk/

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Variety,
October 22, 2011

Kid crix grade pix through different eyes
by Peter Debruge
(Excerpts)

Just this past Sunday, the San Diego Press Club awarded 10-year-old Union-Tribune critic Perry Chen its Excellence in Journalism award. "I offer a kid's perspective. I think kids' opinions are important," says Chen, who has been grading movies on his trademark five-starfish scale since he was 8.

In addition to reviews, Chen uses his personal website to blog about film festivals, red-carpet events and his latest project, a Holocaust-themed short film he's making with animator Bill Plympton.

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San Diego Reader,
October 20, 2011

Review: The Stool Pigeon
by Scott Marks
(Excerpts)

All roads lead to the San Diego Asian Film Festival!

Before recommending that you run to see The Stool Pigeon when it plays SDAFF on October 23 and October 27, here's a nudge to remind you that the festival commences tonight! . . .

If short films are more your thing, there's a collection of them being shown under the SD Block Party banner at 7:40 p.m. I don't know how they do it, but SDAFF actually managed to talk the generally reclusive Perry Chen into putting in a personal appearance to hype his animated effort, Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest. Be sure to bring a camera; you're going to want a picture with the future Oscar-nominee (fingers-crossed) to show your grand-kids.

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San Diego City Beat,
October 19, 2011

Film fests for San Diego's Asians, Germans and cyclists
by Anders Wright
(Excerpts)

San Diego is a city of film festivals, no doubt about it. Three different fests are happening this week alone. . . .

Kicking things off is the San Diego Asian Film Festival, which is not just the largest Asian Film Festival on the West Coast; it's San Diego's largest film festival in general. . . .

There's a slew of locally made films, as well, including Bang Bang and 11-year-old Perry Chen's short, Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest. SDAFF tends to have a high turnout of filmmakers and celebrities, not to mention a gala or two that are always worth attending.

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The San Diego Union-Tribune,
October 14, 2011

Asian Film Festival highlights
by Alison Gang
(Excerpts)

San Diego's largest film festival kicks off its 12th season with 160 films from 20 countries in genres ranging from martial arts and anime to romantic comedies and documentary, as well as a special spotlight on Japan. With an additional day added to the schedule, the popular festival offers nine days of films that probably won't find their way to San Diego theaters again. Here are some highlights:

Oct. 20

7:40 p.m., San Diego Block Party: A collection of shorts from local filmmakers, including 11-year old Perry Chen (a U-T Citizen Critic) with his animated short "Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest."

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The Amazing Kreskin,
October 12, 2011

Endorsement by The Amazing Kreskin for Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest
(Excerpts)

I want to share with you a powerful video experience. . . . It's remarkable how even a scene in which you're looking over the trees and grounds has a movement that is sensitive and truly supports the message. This is the commentary I wrote to Jud Newborn:

I must tell you that I was deeply moved by the animated short Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest. One of the great skills in communication, whether it be written or visual, is to be able to transmit a powerful message in a few words or a brief amount of time. This is one of the finest representations of such. It is brilliant. It is truly heart wrenching, all the more so because of the sensitivity communicated through a youngster's cartoons. That to me is a stroke of genius. I must tell you that to climax it with the voice and words of Winston Churchill says it all. This to me is an example that needs to be shed to the free world today, to parents and teachers on how important it is to study and reflect upon history. It is deplorable and a scathing criticism on our educational system and our political figures and leaders that they have growingly tended to ignore, if not forget, history. I can't compliment you enough on these two moving and brilliant pieces.

Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest Introductory 1 minute video narrated by Dr. Jud Newborn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uLzKMSYkSI

Read on Kreskin's site

San Diego Reader,
October 11, 2011

12th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival Promises Fresh Hou Hsiao-Hsien and More!
by Scott Marks
(Excerpts)

. . . while you're there, make sure you pay for tickets to other terrific movies like Dave Boyle's Surrogate Valentine (October 23, 7 p.m.); Dante Lam's The Stool Pigeon, and Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest, a short film animated by San Diego's 11-year-old wunderkind, Perry Chen. . . .

Consider yourselves fortunate to have SDAFF and so many other outstanding festivals in our cultural dry socket. You need to support them with more than just lip service. Those who can't produce ticket stubs when I stop them on the street or in line at the Chicken Pie Shop are forever forbidden from reading The Big Screen.

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Associated Content,
September 25, 2011

Oscar Hopeful Shorts with Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Julia Stiles and Perry Chen
by Montebubbles
(Excerpts)

Perry Chen shined being the youngest filmmaker by far at only 11 years old and having the only animation short at Shorts HD at the movies. Chen's animation short, "Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest" is about the escape of young Ingrid Pitt, an 8 year old Jewish girl, from a concentration camp. Narrated by Ingrid Pitt recalling her experience, Chen created the animation in collaboration with Oscar® nominated Bill Plympton, who he had met at Comic-Con a couple years ago. It premiered earlier this year at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

"I feel great! I'm glad that my film which is the only animation film shown at ShortsHD at the Movies was going to be included" shared Chen when I asked about being included in with short films including actors Julia Stiles, Keira Knightley and Colin Firth.

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World Journal (in Chinese),
September 23, 2011

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Read Google translation into English

The Examiner,
September 23, 2011

Oscar Hopeful Shorts Screening in LA - Colin Firth, Keira Knightly, Julia Stiles
by Liz Kelly
(Excerpts)

In a packed theater in Hollywood on Tuesday night, Oscar Hopeful Short Films from around the world were screened during a special event hosted by ShortsHD at CGV Cinemas. To bring you the inside scoop, we captured three red carpet interviews for Sexting (Julia Stiles), The Pond (Alicia Witt) and Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest (Animated by Perry Chen.)

. . .

Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest has Oscar written all over it. It's a six-minute short based on a true story about an actress named Ingrid Pitt who escaped from a concentration camp in Poland. To animate the story, Perry researched online and exchanged emails with Ingrid Pitt, who also narrated the film. This was Ingrid's last project.

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Jewish Tribune,
September 13, 2011

Jewish marketing gurus closely involved with successful animation software
by Mike Cohen
(Excerpts)

MONTREAL — Toon Boom Animation Inc. (toonboom.com) is the worldwide leader in digital content and animation creation software . . .

Based in Montreal since 1994, the company's biggest clients include Walt Disney Animation Studios; Walt Disney Television Animation, Nelvana, Warner Bros. Animation, and Fox TV.

However, these days, new software that turns mere mortals into superstar cartoonists based on the popular comic and animated character of Garfield the Cat has company President and CEO Joan Vogelesang very excited. Leading the way with this project have been two Jewish marketing specialists, Karina Bessoudo, vice-president of marketing and communications and Alissa Anzarut, director of product marketing.

. . .

Toon Boom is responsible for a remarkable video about the Holocaust, not yet made public, and animated by an 11-year-old artist. He used Toon Boom to collaborate with actress and Holocaust survivor Ingrid Pitt on this project before she passed away.

"I would like to bring this artist to Canada to speak at schools and show his video," Anzarut said.

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World Journal (in Chinese),
August 1, 2011

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Read Google translation into English

Sign On San Diego (by Union-Tribune),
July 22, 2011

The street scene, bar scene and behind the scenes at Comic-Con
by Diane Bell
(Excerpt)

Joining cartoonist Bill Plympton on a Comic-Con panel Sunday is 11-year-old Perry Chen, of Carmel Valley. Chen is a "Citizen Critic" for the Union-Tribune, but has a passion for animation. Under Plympton's guidance, he did the animated drawings for a short documentary telling the experience of the late Ingrid Pitt as a child in a WW II concentration camp. The film, produced by Chen's mother, Zhu, competes in the L.A. Shorts Film Festival today.

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Sing Tao Daily (in Chinese),
July 21, 2011

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Read Google translation into English

Toon Boom News

10-year-old award-winning artist and film critic Perry Chen from San Diego, California, has a very unique task. He will be using his talents to help other children of many cultures learn the importance of the Holocaust.

Done using Toon Boom Studio, Beyond The Forest is an animated short film based on the experience of Holocaust survivor, Ingrid Pitt, who later became a major film and television star. Pitt and her family were imprisoned by the Nazis in the Stutthof concentration camp in Poland in 1942. She spent ages five through eight in the camp, and miraculously escaped with her mother in 1945.

Five minute long, the short film depicts Pitt's struggle and ultimate survival, which is based on part of her best-selling autobiography, Life's a Scream. The characters and storyboards for the animated film Beyond the Forest were created and drawn by two-time Academy Award nominee Bill Plympton.

A celebrated animator for more than 25 years, Plympton was nominated for an Academy Award in 1988 for Your Face and again in 2005 for Guard Dog. In July 2009, Perry came face-to-face with Bill Plympton and producer / director Kevin Sean Michaels (The Wild World of Ted V. Mikels). Flawlessly, Chen sketched a Plympton’s character right along side the original drawing. Impressed, Plympton and Michaels thought Chen would be a good candidate as an artist for Beyond the Forest. This is the very first time that the multiple award-winning animator Bill Plympton partners with a young child artist for an animated film.

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San Diego Jewish World, July 21, 2011

11-year-old animator's Holocaust film debuts at Comic-Con
by Donald H. Harrison
(Excerpts)

Two years after surprising animator Bill Plympton with his ability to mimic Plympton's drawing style, 11-year-old Perry Chen is making his debut at Comic-Con as the animator of a 6-minute Holocaust short, Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest.

Although the subject is a somber one, the movie is not particularly gory -- and youngsters can watch it without nightmares.

Said Chen about Pitt's concentration camp experiences: "I thought that the story was sad but I thought that it needed to be told so that this history would not repeat itself again ever in the future . . . One of the things a lot of the Holocaust survivors do is keep their painful memories a secret . . . but I don't think that is a good idea, because then no one will know about the stories that happen . . ."

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The Examiner, July 21, 2011

Comic-Con 2011 Exclusive: 11-yr-old Animator Perry Chen's Premiere Journey
by Liz Kelly
(Excerpts)

As Comic-Con 2011 International kicks off today in San Diego, 11-yr-old animator and film critic Perry Chen prepares for his first animation short premiere for Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest this weekend at the LA Shorts Fest (July 23) and Comic-Con (July 24). To give you the behind-the-scenes scoop on his fast-track journey, we captured this exclusive interview with the young artist. Since being selected to be the first child to collaborate with Oscar nominated animator, Bill Plympton at Comic-Con two years ago, Perry's interviewed some of Hollywood's greatest animation Directors of Oscar-nominated films such as Toy Story 3, How to Train Your Dragon and Up. . . .

1. What was it like to work with Ingrid Pitt?

"Ingrid answered my questions by email so I could learn about her background . . . . She said that she was often sick during those years, and her house was not that good. She said she was really scared in the Holocaust and often held her mother's hand, and so I showed her holding her hand in the film." (Ingrid Pitt narrates this short, and it is her last film because she passed away in 2010. Director Kevin Sean Michaels calls it a "legacy project.")

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North County Times, July 21, 2011

Young animator's first film to be screened at Comic-Con
by Tom Pfingsten
(Excerpt)

As the eighth annual San Diego International Children's Film Festival begins with a day of screenings Sunday at Comic-Con, one North County boy will have the unique privilege of seeing his drawings come to life on the big screen.

Perry Chen was 9 years old when he met famed animator Bill Plympton at the 2009 comics convention.

On Monday, the Carmel Valley resident, who has made a name for himself as an entrepreneurial family movie critic, said he remembers handing Plympton a drawing that day. The next thing he knew, someone was asking whether he would like to work on a short film.

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Animation World Network, July 20, 2011

A Unique Collaboration - Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest
by Rick DeMott
(Excerpt)

. . . When the Ingrid Pitt project came along, Michaels and Plympton thought the young artist could bring a childlike sensibility to the story of a young girl's escape from the Holocaust.

At first Chen, who is also a film critic at Perry's Previews, was astonished that they would want an inexperienced animator to work on the film. He said, "It's a great honor to work with animation master Bill Plympton, I've learned a lot about making animation film. For me, it is definitely more fun and exciting to make a film than to review one."

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