`Barbie as Rapunzel' to hit TV
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
After the success of its best-selling debut video Barbie in the Nutcracker, America's favorite blonde doll is back this holiday season with Barbie as Rapunzel.
As an added bonus, Indonesian children and Barbie fans won't miss the film as they can enjoy the colorful adaptation of the Brothers Grimm classic fairytale at home on TV.
The 76-minute animated feature will be screened in two parts on Indosiar at 10 a.m. on Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, and will be available on VCD.
"Barbie as Rapunzel is a unique adaptation that will introduce girls to the incredible world of art and encourage them to develop their own creativity and artistic expression," said Geetha Balakrishna, Mattel Regional Marketing Director.
"While Barbie in the Nutcracker introduced girls to the beauty and grace of classical ballet, Barbie as Rapunzel will expose girls to yet another facet of the arts, this time highlighting the wonders of visual art."
Produced by Mattel Entertainment and Mainframe Entertainment, the animated film's visual arts theme is extended through the use of real-life art from the past and present, showing works by masters such as da Vinci, Botticelli, and Rubens. Contemporary works of art by teen art prodigy Amanda Dunbar are also featured in scenes taking place in Barbie's art studio.
The film -- which brings in Irish pop star Samantha Mumba to belt out a specially composed song, Wish Upon A Star, to inspire girls to believe in their dreams -- tells of 17-year-old Rapunzel (played by Barbie and voiced by Kelly Sheridan), who has been living, for as long as she can remember, under the watchful eye of her guardian Gothel (voiced by Academy Award-winning actress Anjelica Huston), a haughty witch who lives in an isolated manor protected by powerful magic.
Constrained to a lonely life of menial chores, Rapunzel finds solace in her painting and joy in the company of her faithful friends: a humorous rabbit named Hobie and a clumsy, lovable, young dragon named Penelope.
One day, her life takes a turn as Rapunzel discovers a hidden tunnel beneath Gothel's manor. The tunnel leads her to a beautiful kingdom she never knew existed.
Excited by her newfound freedom, Rapunzel meets handsome Prince Stefan (played by Barbie's soulmate Ken), the son of King Frederick, whose kingdom is caught in a terrible war with neighboring King Wilhelm.
Falling in love, Rapunzel vows to return the next day; but furious Gothel, who has learned of Rapunzel's escape, locks her permanently in a high tower protected by an unbreakable spell.
Separated from everything she loves, Rapunzel loses hope, until she discovers that her paintbrush can magically bring her canvases to life.
Using the power of her imagination, and with the help of her loyal friends, Rapunzel realizes she has everything she needs to win her freedom from Gothel, bring peace to two feuding kingdoms, and make her dreams come true.