BELLE

Belle was produced by Studio Chizu and released in 2021 as a visionary feature film directed and written by Mamoru Hosoda. The project was conceived as a modern, high-tech retelling of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, specifically designed to explore the dichotomy between the physical world and the vast, immersive possibilities of the internet. Hosoda sought to capture how digital identities allow individuals to project different facets of themselves, using a blend of traditional 2D animation for the real-world scenes and sophisticated 3D computer graphics to bring the virtual world of U to life.

The film was designed with a global scope, featuring character designs for the titular protagonist created by Jin Kim, a veteran Disney character artist. This collaboration helped bridge the gap between distinct animation styles, resulting in a visual language that felt both intimate and grand. Upon its release, Belle received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its breathtaking musical sequences and its empathetic approach to themes of online harassment and self-discovery. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to a standing ovation, cementing its status as one of Hosoda’s most technically and narratively ambitious works.