There are plenty of romantic horror films, including Together, Bones and All, Crimson Peak, and more, but few ever make it to the animated space. You could count Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, Corpse Bride, or Perfect Blue, but even that last one is a stretch. Thankfully, things are about to change as multiple studios are joining forces to present Pesta, an animated plague-era romantic horror film directed by Hanne Berkaak.
Who’s behind this wild swing? I’m glad you asked. According to reports, Charades, Mikrofilm, and GKids will present Pesta on February 13 at the European Film Market, as part of the Annecy Animation Showcase. Berkaak’s feature debut is currently in development for a 2029 release.
What’s Pesta about?
Pesta reportedly pulls inspiration from Norwegian history and folklore. “The story is set in Norway in 1349, as the Black Death fuels fear and superstition. A noble girl, Astrid, experiences first love with a musician deemed unholy and dangerous. When the boy is accused of witchcraft, Astrid is pushed to question the truths she has been taught to obey. Through genre, the movie draws parallels between medieval plague fears and contemporary global crises.”
Pesta‘s director on the project’s themes and setting
Berkaak recently spoke about Pesta, detailing the story’s dark themes and grim setting, saying, “With Pesta, our goal is to create characters that are complex and relatable to a contemporary young adult audience, even though the story unfolds in a medieval world.” As to why Berkaak chose such a deadly setting for his film, he says he’s “drawn to dark periods in history because they offer perspective on our time.”
“Catastrophes expose structural illusions a society is built upon, and often have a way of bringing people together,” he said. “The Black Death is considered one of the greatest disasters in human history. But even in this darkest hour, some people survived. And the world they went on to build became more just and equal.”
Bring on the plague!
I know that “all good things come to those who wait,” but dammit, I want to see Pesta right now. 2029 feels like a lifetime away, and there’s no telling what could happen between now and then. Regardless, I want to keep my eyes on this project. The preview image (shown above) paints a haunting picture of Berkaak’s vision, and as I said, we don’t get enough romantic horror in the animation genre. It would be incredible if a passion project like this could break the mold, paving the way for more experimentation in animation.
