^{Credit: Julián (Cartoon Saloon)} 

Based on Jessica Love’s children’s book, Julián is the latest animated feature from Cartoon Saloon (The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers). Director Louise Bagnall (Late Afternoon) helms this coming-of-age story about a young boy who wishes to dress as a mermaid in an upcoming parade. Like its source material, Julián is a vibrant story about self-acceptance and acceptance in general. The film will premiere at Annecy later this month. Cartoon Contender spoke with Bagnall about staying true to the book’s themes, visual inspirations, and making the leap from shorts to features. 

Q: There have been a few other animated films aimed at the whole family that’ve touched upon gender, identity, and LGBTQIA+ themes. Yet, some of these movies have almost tiptoed around these themes, likely due to higher-ups at the studio telling the filmmakers to be more ambiguous. What I appreciate about Julián is that the film doesn’t beat around the bush. The film fully embraces who Julián is with little if any room for ambiguity. Were there challenges in getting this film made without compromising your vision and its message? 

LB: Being adapted from the book Julián is a Mermaid meant that from the very beginning, there was a clear sense of what the film and themes would be about, so there was never any ambiguity there. Julián’s journey is a lot less about labels and more about how we come to know ourselves. I think many people can relate to the story of a kid finding his voice and discovering who he is! 

Q: The characters in Julián are refreshingly accepting and encouraging of the titular character. Of course, not everyone that Julián encounters is so open-minded. How did you strike the balance between harsh reality and the world we’re striving to create? 

LB: Julián, like many children, is looking for friendships, acceptance, and a place where he can really be himself! But of course, not everything he attempts is a success. We live in an imperfect world, and part of growing up is learning how to navigate the challenges it presents while also being true to yourself. It would be dishonest to ignore the difficulties kids can face, but I believe it’s more important to focus on what resilience, joyful expression, and supportive relationships look like!

Q: Julián was a collaboration between Cartoon Saloon, Melusine Studio, Aircraft Pictures, and Sun Creature. What did each studio bring to the production? 

LB: We had so many wonderfully talented people working across the different studios. It was quite a complex production where each co-producer took on multiple teams and roles - there were animators working across all four countries! For me, it felt like the international composition of the team reflected the varied communities found within the film - we had lots of different languages and cultures working towards the same goal.

Q: The visuals in Julián pop like a rainbow. Was there a particular inspiration behind the film’s color scheme? 

LB: For this film, I wanted to see the world through Julián’s eyes. He’s an exuberant, bubbly, curious kid and what he sees is a reflection of that! Art Director Emilie Bach painted wonderful color keys that didn’t just bring the summer in Brooklyn to life, but also plotted the emotional journey that Julián goes on. However, we didn’t want the world to feel artificial, so it was important also to keep a hand-made feel to the backgrounds. The final look is created using bright markers and coloring pencils, tools that Julián himself would have to hand!

Q: You previously wrote and directed the Oscar-nominated animated short Late Afternoon. How did that short prepare you to make your first feature? 

LB: Making a short like Late Afternoon gave me the space and opportunity to develop my voice as a writer and director. Although the scale of the short is miniature by comparison, a lot of the structure and skills in directing are the same. With Julián, as on my short film, I felt it was my responsibility as a director to get everyone on board with what we were making. I didn’t want my team to simply do as I asked, but instead to really understand what we were trying to achieve and to feel ownership over what we were creating. For me, the final film could only be elevated as a result.

Q: Julián stands out from Cartoon Saloon’s past films, partly due to its backdrop. What inspired you to set the film in New York? 

LB: I grew up in Dublin, and while it's a world away from New York, I love what cities have to offer. Certainly, New York has to be one of the richest in terms of culture, community, and opportunity! Arriving in Brooklyn for the first time, Julian is incredibly inspired by the people he encounters and places he explores - it’s the perfect backdrop for a summer of discovery!

Q: New York is also an incredibly diverse backdrop, which also shines through in Julián. Why do you think it was just as important to explore Julián’s family heritage? 

LB: Julián’s relationship with his grandmother is something that really drew me to this story and is at the heart of the film. Getting to know his grandmother and discover his roots inspires Julián and sparks his imagination, opening his mind to new possibilities. This deeper connection to his heritage and culture ultimately informs his own sense of self. Julián gains a community and learns that he belongs to a bigger story than just his own!

Q: Knyght Darius Jack does a wonderful job voicing Julián. What were his recording sessions like? 

LB: Finding the right voice for Julián was crucial, and honestly, now I couldn’t imagine anyone else in the role. Knyght is a fantastic actor. He brought Julián to life with the energy and sincerity we needed. I was very impressed at his understanding of the emotion underpinning each scene. 

During records, we had a bit of an unexpected adventure! One morning a power-outage struck, and we had to halt mid-record! This could have been a disaster, but we decided to make the most of it. We went exploring - visiting a local park, checking out an art supply shop, and of course stopping off for some ice-cream! It ended up being a wonderful day out and a lovely opportunity to bond.

Q: Zoe Saldaña has come on board as an executive producer. What attracted her the most to Julián? 

LB: It's been amazing to have Zoe and her sisters come on board as executive producers. Considering their Dominican and American connections, they have such a great understanding of the story we are telling and the characters at the heart of it. I believe Zoe was attracted to the film because of its celebratory tone and its themes of self-expression and acceptance.

Nick Spake is the Author of Bright & Shiny: A History of Animation at Award Shows Volumes 1, 2, and 3. Available Now!