The Flight Before Christmas
Niko - A reindeer stands out is a Christmas animation film created as a German - Finnish co-production from 2002 to 2008. On 5 November 2009, the family adventure about friendship, family and magic of Christmas came to German cinemas. The sequel is a 3D film titled Niko 2 - Little Reindeer, great hero, she started on 1 November 2012 in the German cinemas.
Action
The little reindeer Niko is not like the other animals of the herd. Because his father is one of the legendary flying reindeer pulling the sleigh of Santa Claus to. Since Niko can remember, he dreams of reason to get to know his great heroes. And he dreams of learning to fly themselves - because supposedly this magical talent inherited from father to son. Encouraged by the good-hearted and clumsy flying squirrel Julius takes the zealous Niko a test flight after another. However, they all end with crash landings. No wonder that the other animals Niko ridicule and mock. As Niko accidentally a pack of wild wolves leads a day in the valley in which his flock for years unnoticed lives of enemies, it almost comes to disaster. Only by great fortune all reindeer come from the attack of wolves with their lives. But now Niko is finally convinced that in this herd is no place for him. Together with Julius he sets out to find the secret land of Santa Claus.
Meanwhile ponders the pack of wolves out for revenge - and pushes bad Kohldampf! Just when one of the wolves seriously proposing to convert saddle to a vegetarian diet, suddenly a cute, pink poodle in front of them. That was with masters and mistresses in the vicinity on ski vacation and got lost on the way back from the slopes. The evil black wolf who leads the pack, the dog soon takes hostage. The poodle is to accompany them for good luck on their new crusade. The diabolical plan of predators: they want to invade the land of Santa Claus. There they first want to eat the flying reindeer and Santa Claus then eat personally. That would be a fine mess!
Meanwhile Niko and Julius meet on their journey north to the perky and crazy weasel - girl Wilma, which roams alone through the neighborhood and dreams of a career as a singer. But then they meet again the wolves. As Niko learns of their devious plan, he has it twice a hurry to find Santa Claus and to warn him of impending danger. Thank God knows Wilma the way. Between Niko, Julius and Wilma and the vicious wolves an exciting and ludicrous race full of crazy incidents and dramatic events begins.
The three heroes make it by a narrow margin to reach the magical land. But when Niko is facing the flying reindeer, the disappointment is great. Not only that, the famous sled puller are a vain and conceited bunch - they believe Niko and his friends no word of the impending danger. And then Niko can not even figure out which is the reindeer his father. Yes: When their flights through the world they have come to know so many reindeer lady, but Nikos Mama Oona nobody can remember. Has his mother Niko possibly lied?
Then suddenly the wolves invade the land of Santa Claus. And how responsive the heroic reindeer? You tremble, shiver and hide! It quickly becomes clear who are the real heroes: Niko, Julius and Wilma face the grim predators against bravely. But what are three small animals can align beasts against a whole pack? There seems to be a losing battle - until the last second then suddenly a miracle occurs ...
Backstage
Niko - A reindeer takes off began in Anima Vitae studio in Helsinki, Finland. The animation studio, founded in 2000, was employed before Niko exclusively with contract work for commercials as well as television series and films. In 2003, Anima Vitae, however, decided to produce its own animated feature film. To doubters of this plan was not wanting, finally an animated film was never before been produced in Finland.
The know -how for high-quality 3D animation has existed for a long time in Europe. However, producing an entire feature film in this technique, here is still a major challenge The European studios are relatively small and a collaboration with other studios requires good organization and impeccable communication. When Niko there was a lively interaction of many different partners so that the final product would have a quality that can compete with the films from the major Hollywood studios.
Synchronization
The German synchronization was performed by Interopa film, Berlin. For the dialogue director Matthias von Stegmann was responsible.
Awards
22 Cinekid Festival 2008
- Cinekid Lion Award of the Jury
- Audience Award for Best Film
Jussi 2008
- Best Picture
- Best Screenplay
European Film Awards 2009
- Nomination for the European Film Academy for Animated Film
German Film and Media Review
- " Predicate valuable " seal