`Barbie as Rapunzel' to hit TV
`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.