Watch: ‘Boy and the World’ Trailer is an Explosion of Psychedelic Animation

READ MORE: GKIDS Acquires Never-Before-Released Studio Ghibli Film ‘Only Yesterday’

Over the past several years, distributor GKIDS has racked up an immersive collection of internationally acclaimed animated films, from Studio Ghibli’s “From Up on Poppy Hill” to Best Animated Oscar nominees “Chico and Rita,” “The Secret of Kells” and “Ernest & Celestine.” The company’s latest, “Boy and the World,” hails from Brazilian director Alê Abreu and has won over 40 festival awards. With a December 11 release date, it also might be an Oscar dark horse worth keeping an eye on.

The official synopsis reads: “Cuca’s cozy rural life is shattered when his father leaves for the city, prompting him to embark on a quest to reunite his family. The young boy’s journey unfolds like a tapestry, the animation taking on greater complexity as his small world expands. Entering civilization, industrial landscapes are inhabited by animal-machines, with barrios of decoupage streets and shop windows and flashing neon advertisements that illuminate the night. The story depicts a clash between village and city, hand crafted and mechanized, rich and poor – and throughout the tumult, the heart and soul of the people beats on as a song.”

The new trailer above hints at the film’s dazzling visual and sonic landscapes. As Brazilian hip-hop and samba music mixes with the vibrant colors and exploding fireworks, “Boy and the World” proves it will be one of the most singular animated films of the year. Watch the trailer above.

READ MORE: Ale Abreu’s Highly Personal Animated Musical ‘The Boy and the World’ Acquired by GKIDS