'BROKEN BEING: PREQUEL'
2D Animated Short Film by DeeDee Animation Studio
Project name: 'Broken Being: Prequel' (Tan The: Tien Truyen)
Intellectual Property
Format: Animated Film
Duration: 15 minutes
Year: 2019
Project logo
Film posters
Screenshot from the film
The story takes place within one of the many existing Tranquil Havens. The Tranquil Haven is seen by the ones occupying it as a peaceful village, a safe zone, under the protection of the Gods above.
The inhabitants of the village are kept here for generations, ignorant of what goes on in the world. They are intensively faithful to their Gods, practicing their religions through prayers, rituals, and festivals.
Elsewhere, a colossal structure can be vaguely seen above the horizon. Legends say it is
Paradise - a place for Gods. Whenever someone passes away, their body is brought there, back to the higher beings who rule the village.
Screenshot from the film
Grieving for his loving wife who mysteriously passes away, a loyal husband goes on a dangerous journey from his peaceful Tranquil Haven to find Paradise - the place of the Gods, in hope of reuniting with the love of his life.
Screenshot from the film
‘Broken Being: Prequel’ is a story about losing the one you love. Sure enough, it is not
something that can be easily accepted. In desperate moments, irrational decisions are made.
something that can be easily accepted. In desperate moments, irrational decisions are made.
‘Broken Being: Prequel’ is a story about discovering the horrifying truths underneath it all, about
waking up from lies and deceptions, about realizing things are not what they seem, about
having your perception of reality shattered into pieces.
Screenshot from the film
Character designs
The Groom - the protagonist of the Prequel episode, is a sweet, loving husband, who grows up in the quiet and peaceful village of Tranquil Haven. Unlike other villagers, he never understands the religious tradition it has, but he practices it anyway, because of his future wife.
The Groom has a genuine, gentle personality, which stays true to his appearance. He has not a single care for the world, for he already found the love of his life - The Bride.
However, when challenged, The Groom would stop at nothing to protect his future wife. He has a strong survival instinct that allows him to react quickly to situations, even if violence is required.
Character designs
The art direction of the project is influenced by Genndy Tartakovsky’s ‘Samurai Jack’, Eyvind Earle, and Asian folk art. The character style is a more refined version of the internationally popular cartoon ‘Samurai Jack’, with a slightly more “serious” touch.
Meanwhile, we are inspired by the works of the legendary artist Eyvind Earle, which helps us craft a fantasy world larger than life through the grandiose of the landscapes.
Storyboards
Color script
The art style in Broken Being is also influenced by ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Ghost in the Shell’, illustrated by its overall cyberpunk tone.
Beyond that, we aim to introduce a taste of Vietnamese spirit to Broken Being’s combination of art style through the traditional painting styles. and a touch of the country’s imageries and architecture.
Concept arts
‘Broken Being: Prequel’ is a standalone short animated film, originally produced as an introduction to the fundamental concepts of the story world.
Upon its release, it has received recognition by the international film industry, selected and featured at several film festivals worldwide, and a winner award for the best 2D animated film at KHEM Animation Film Festival. It was also officially featured on ‘Trending’ of the iFlix streaming service.
