The Secret of Castle is an animated film that blends history with fantasy, inspired by my artist residency at Château de la Napoule. This ancient castle, steeped in legends and stories, became a profound source of inspiration, guiding me on a creative journey that traverses the realms of reality and imagination. It serves as the perfect backdrop for an exploration of time, memory, and the interplay of visual narratives.
At the heart of the animation lies a simple yet evocative phrase inscribed on the castle gate: “Once Upon A Time.” This timeless expression acts as a doorway to a mysterious past, inviting us into a world where history, myth, and imagination intertwine. The flexibility of the animated medium allows me to reinterpret the castle’s enigmatic charm through a dynamic visual language, transforming it into a symbolic space where time and place converge. Within this fictional realm, viewers are invited to embark on an adventure, uncovering secrets long forgotten by the passage of time.
The project also serves as an extension of my novel, Once Upon A Time: The Castle and Captain Harol’s Secret. Set against the backdrop of this coastal castle, the novel intertwines real historical elements with imagined folklore. It tells the intriguing tale of Captain Harol and a mysterious hidden gem. From secret mechanisms within the castle’s ancient walls to the ethereal Rainbow Tower that appears after the rain, each scene is layered with enigmatic puzzles waiting to be deciphered. The animated film draws from this narrative, bringing the novel’s text to life through motion, and inviting the audience into a world of suspense and wonder.
The Secret of Castle is not a mere historical reenactment; rather, it is a visual reinterpretation from a contemporary perspective. By merging animation with multimedia technology, this work delves into the fluidity of time, the intrigue of cross-temporal exploration, and the boundless human curiosity about the unknown. The castle reimagined as a living character within the animation, becomes a storyteller of its past while sparking new visions for the future.
Exhibition version
