THE ENCHANTED CITY

Based on the novel of the same name by Edith Nesbit (1858-1924), THE ENCHANTED CITY tells a story about the power of imagination: ever since his mother found a new partner, Philip has felt pushed aside. When his mother’s partner Peter, his daughter Lucy and an au pair suddenly become part of the family, he feels left alone and is also annoyed by his new stepsister. To distract himself, he builds a city out of his favourite toys and books, mirrors, vases and candlesticks – and pours into it all his anger, despair and longing. At night, all these assembled objects transform into a real, living city – and Philip finds himself right in the middle of it.

But he is not the only newcomer: Lucy has secretly followed him, and so the Queen and the city’s inhabitants mistake the two strangers for the feared Destroyer and the long-awaited Saviour, whose arrival has been foretold by an ancient prophecy. But is that really true? And if so, which of the two is which? Three tasks await Lucy and Philip, which they must overcome together to save the enchanted city from dangerous dragons, plundering pirates and, ultimately, the true Destroyer...

The Australian composer Samuel Penderbayne provides Philip and Lucy with the perfect music for their adventures, blending the genres of classical opera and musical theatre. Director Louisa Proske transports audiences into the enchanted city through a richly detailed animated aesthetic and cinematic techniques, placing no limits on the imagination of young and old alike.