photo credit: Metropia (this looks like the character of Stefan for which Alexander lent his voice)

The animated film by Tarif Saleh, "Metropia" was premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 3rd. The film is scheduled to be screened at the Fantastic Fest in Austin Texas on Saturday September 25, 2009.  for festival website and ticket information click here The filmaker Tarif Saleh will appear in person during this festival. The Fantastic Fest specializes in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action movies from around the world. The Fest is held annually at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on South Lamar in Austin Texas. Another member from True Blood also has a film being screened during the Fantastic Fest- Anna Paquin's next film :Trick 'r Treat is slated for Friday September 25th at 9:45 pm.  click here for link to festival info on Tric 'r Treat

Metropia takes place in a not so distant future. The end of the millenium marked the end of many things. The world is running out of oil. The underground train systems have been connected into gigantic subway network beneath Europe. Whenver Roger from Stockholm enters this subway system, he hears a voice in his head. He finds help from the mysterious Nina (who he loves from seeing her on a TV commercial telling him to buy shampoo which he does even though his head is shaved). The deeper they go into the mystery of the Metro system, the deeper and darker the conspiracy.

The cast for this animated film includes Vincent Gallo who lent his voice for the character of Roger. Juliette Lewis is the voice of lovely Nina. Alexander Skarsgard lent his voice for the character of Stefan. Stellan Skarsgard is the voice of Ralph. Udo Kier is the voice of Ivan Bahn and Sofia Helin is the voice of Anna. 

The animated film has a new website. Click here for the link. There are 3 video clips on their website titled:

1. Teaser (the official trailer for the movie)

2. "Where have you been?"

3. "I need you"

screen cap from Metropia of  Roger

screen cap from Metropia of Roger and Nina

The cutting edge animation utilized to create this film resulted in a striking and very unique images. Based on what I have seen from the screen images available on the movie site, this is definitely not  "cartoonish" and by no means a "kids" movie. One of the risks animated film makers take when using the animated genre is to be cubbeyholed with other animated films that are cartoonish. But Tarif Saleh has risen above the rest. I can not wait for the film to be available in the Los Angeles area in order to be able to watch it for mysef. 

UPDATE:  Alexander confirmed that he will be attending the festival for the screening on Saturday September 25th. Hopefully there will be new photos soon from the event! The photo below was taken at the film festival:

Photo Credit: Alexander Skarsgard Affiliated Sites Facebook