Two by Two Overboard!, produced in Galway by Moetion Films was the highest grossing film at the UK box office for the second week in a row — no mean feat for an independent film to compete and win against the might of big-budget studio releases.
In what is welcome good news for the Irish arts sector, Galway independent animation company Moetion films had cause to celebrate this week when against all odds, in a very challenging market, their film yet again knocked other blockbusters off the top spot in UK cinemas to take the top spot for a second week.
Distributed by eOne Entertainment, the film opened in multiple locations across the UK. This charming, animated movie has a very positive message which provides perfect escapism for these difficult times, with fun for all the family.
Made in beautiful 3D animation, the film tells the story of young Nestrian Finny and his best mate Leah, a Grymp, who accidently fall off Noah’s ark and are swept out to sea. Adrift on a flood, the two misfit castaways struggle to reunite an unorthodox family, out-run a volcano, and negotiate a peace deal on a creaking Ark.
With the help of some new friends and some surprising allies, they manage to conquer hearts, reunite with their family and save a whole colony from destruction.
Screen Daily reported that Moetion Films’ animated adventure Two By Two: Overboard! retained the lead ahead of the re-release of 90s classic Hocus Pocus. The film opened on Oct 23 and topped the box office with the third highest opening revenue for a film in the UK since cinemas reopened in July behind Tenet and the New Mutants. This was particularly good news for Moetion films who had to delay their Irish release due to Level 5 restrictions.
Boost for the west
Producer Moe Honan told the Galway Advertiser that she is absolutely thrilled that a film made here in the west has made it to the top in the UK.
“We can’t wait to bring it to our Two by Two fans in Ireland as soon as the cinemas re-open,” she said.
The film was made in Moetion’s studio at the Centre for Creative Arts and Media, in the campus of GMIT with the support of Screen Ireland, the Wrap Fund, BAI and co-produced with Germany where the film is also performing very strongly and Luxembourg. It is being sold worldwide by Global Screen and will be released in France in February 2021.
The film is produced by Moe Honan, directed by Toby Genkel and Irish director Sean McCormack, with script by Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson. The score is by Galway’s own Eimear Noone, the first woman to conduct the orchestra at this year’s Oscars’ ceremony.
Cast includes the voice talent of Irish actors such as Tara Flynn, Dermot Magennis, Alan Stanford, Mary Murray and Paul Tylak. The film is Moetion Films’ second feature film and their second box office success story with their first film Two by Two, Ooops! The Ark Has Gone selling in over 140 territories worldwide when it was released in 2015.
‘We’re very proud of this achievement, it’s amazing to not only see the film take the top spot on opening weekend but to then retain that lead and secure it for a second weekend is such a thrill and it means that we’ve really connected with our audience,” said Ms Honan.
“It’s another success story for Irish animation, and it’s an excellent boost for the creative media talent here in the Western region. “This success underlines the importance of the supports available to creative talent in the Irish film and television industry such as our S.481 Tax Credit. We would particularly like to thank Screen Ireland, The Wrap Fund (Western Regional Audio-Visual Fund ), BAI, RTÉ and Creative Europe,” concluded Ms Honan.
