Behind Nine Trees: Apple of Discord

by Timon Leder

Za devetimi drevesi: Jabolko spora, animated series, 2D animation, cutout, digital DCP, 1,77:1 (16:9), 25, c, 9 min
In progress

During a morning walk, a hedgehog comes across a beautiful red apple. He takes it to the front of his dwelling and begins rearranging the interior of his home. Meanwhile, a squirrel stumbles upon the beautiful apple. A quarrel breaks out between the two friends over who the fruit really belongs to. They ask the other forest inhabitants for their opinions as well. Disappointed by the rabbit’s indecisiveness and the bear’s greed, the arguing pair set off to seek advice from the wise owl. She soon discovers that it is an apple of discord, in which a trace of evil has taken root, and she eventually succeeds in driving the malice out. Not much of the apple remains, but the hedgehog and the squirrel are overjoyed that their friendship has withstood a demanding test.

based on the book by
Tina Arnuš Pupis
screenwriters
Henri Angremy, Timon Leder, Jerneja Kaja Balog
director
Timon Leder
producers
Kolja Saksida, Nina Bučuk
co-producer
Jure Bušić
associate producer
Deja Škerjanc
lead animator
Timon Leder
music composer
Marin Juraga
film editor
Iva Kraljević
sound designer
Julij Zornik

featuring
Jurij Zrnec, Uroš Smolej, Polona Juh, Ana Pavlin

production
DAGIBA
co-production
RTV Slovenija, Jaka Produkcija
co-funding
Slovenian Film Centre, Croatian Audiovisual Centre

Dagiba
Timon Leder
timon@dagiba.si

After working on several other animated series, he now focuses primarily on his own adaptations and teaching. His student short film, Work (ALUO, 2008, co-created with Urban Breznik) and his animated debut Weasel were both selected to over 40 festivals. In 2022, two films in which he had a key role were completed. Short film Mouse House (Invida) has been to 95 festivals and won 6 awards and the animated film Twisted Tales: Cinda Real (ITD), at which he worked as the lead animator, won 11 awards.

“Forest animals are at the heart of many animated films and countless books. Still, we never grow tired of them, especially not children. But since animal stories often come across as just another variation in a long line of adaptations, I always prick up my ears when I hear of a new approach to this topic. And four years ago, I learned that someone had reworked animal stereotypes with a new twist. I came across the book by Tina Arnuš Pupis, on which I based this animated series adaptation.”

At Dagiba, from 2016, we have been conducting creative workshops for children/adults, and the knowledge they acquire then helps the participants in their exploration of the creative spirit. Animated film workshops vary in duration, and are adapted to the age of the participants and the level of knowledge the participants have about animated films. What all workshops have in common is professional quality and encouragement of further artistic creation. We are entering the field of professional animated film production and currently financing two short animated films – Fin People (V. Hozjan) and Behind Nine Trees: Apple of Discord (T. Leder).