First Peruvian anime that explores the cultural legacy of the Incas crosses borders: learn more about “Chaskis”

Imagining a hero inspired by the Inca empire was until recently just a beautiful dream. Today, work and passion for animation Through two talented friends, the figure of the chasquis, young runners who transmitted news throughout the 40 thousand kilometers of Tahuantinsuyo, has managed to cross borders. It is the animated film “Chaskis: Messengers of the Sun”, which has just been selected to participate in the International Animated Film Market (MIFA), the largest festival in its field where producers and distributors of the stature of DreamWorks, Pixar , Disney, Warner, Ghibli or Netflix will showcase their latest projects.

Alex Agurto and Mario Santillán are lifelong friends, they share among other things their interest in audiovisuals in general and cartoons in particular. After an extensive period in work related to advertising and film, two years ago they created the production company Star Toons Animation, with which they were finally able to fulfill their desire to dedicate themselves entirely to animation. But it was only a few months ago that Agurto began creating “We have the potential to be able to generate much more content. Just like other cultures, ours also has mythological beings, gods, and talking animals. Bringing them to life is exciting and fun at the same time, ”says the director of the film in development.

In recent years the bet of more than one animated film has been the rescue of the past as a way to interest new generations about the roots of their own culture. This is another of the points that inspired “Chaskis”, whose attractive formula Although we know that there were no women chasquis, including one in this story is an important contribution in favor of the necessary equality between genders. In this regard, producer Santillana comments that “what is meant is that everyone can aspire to be what they want. This license was taken to improve communication and because the multimedia content that is presented must keep up with the times ”.

It is important to mention that in addition to obtaining the pass to the Official Selection of MIFA-Annecy (France) at the Ventana Sur festival -organized by the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts (INCAA) and the Marché du Film – Cannes Festival-, the film also won the Dafo award from the Ministry of Culture for Animation Development. It is precisely thanks to this recognition that Star Toons Animation is already working on the completion of the script, the scenarios to be used and the animation itself. The final objective is that the necessary financing can be obtained so that “Chaskis” can be seen by the largest number of spectators in the world and keep alive the mission of the Inca’s messengers. “”, Specify the creators.

According to the work route developed, “If we were able to get the money earlier, everything would be faster, but we must bear in mind that the average time to make an animated film is two years,” concludes Santillana.

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