Renaissance is an animated cyberpunk/science fiction detective film by French director Christian Volckman. It was co-produced in France, United Kingdom and Luxembourg and released on 15 March 2006 in France and 28 July 2006 in the UK by Miramax Films. Renaissance features a rare visual style in which almost all images are exclusively black and white, with only occasional grays for detail.
The film cost 14 million € to make over six years. It was funded by Disney with 3 million USD provided from Miramax.
Motion capture with 40 actors and computer-generated imagery were used to create the film's distinctive black and white animated visual style. The actors wore black suits with markers dotted along the surface which recorded movement from their limbs, faces and eyes. All acting was performed against a bluescreen in a digital backlot. Once a scene was recorded, computer software was used to build 3D animated models around the motion captured data. The bluescreen was used to create a virtual setting around the models. The black and white effect was added later using lighting.
A failed-artist-turned critic believes that he will finally get his big break, allowing him to move to Tahiti and dedicate himself to a beautiful life of art. When he fails to get that much-needed grant - watching helplessly as the money goes instead to lurid, pornographic artists - he unleashes years of frustration and anger that accidentally results in adding a new color to his palette: blood. As the public beckons for more, it slowly starts to drive him mad - leaving him no choice but to confront them with the ultimate performance piece. Written by Anonymous
Paris, 2042: a dark Rotoscope world of shadows and right angles. Ilona Tasuiev, a brilliant young scientist, is kidnapped, and her employer, Avalon, a major health and beauty corporation, wants her found. Karas, a jaded police captain, is assigned to find her, fast. He seeks help from her sister, Bislane, and they are soon uncovering identify theft, missing files, and hints that something back in 2006 may explain what's going on. Ilona's mentor, Avalon's vice president, a Japanese researcher, an underworld boss, and Bislane's drug connection all figure in the mix. So does an attraction between Karas and Bislane. What's behind the kidnapping? Who's the victim? Written by
To the sound of trumpets, a collection of pulverised antique bric-a-brac begins to reassemble itself, revealing a stuffed owl, a cornet, a hamper, books, a doll, a plate - and a bomb... Written by Michael Brooke