Disney veteran Lino DiSalvo embarks on a new animated journey with ‘Twisted’
From ‘Frozen’ to fresh folklore
Lino DiSalvo, renowned for his animation work on Disney’s “Frozen,” is developing a new animated feature called Twisted. This project weaves a unique coming-of-age tale centered on an Italian teenager who partners with a mythical beast to ward off an ancient curse threatening her hometown.
Crafting a heartfelt story
This exciting narrative, penned by a talented screenwriter and produced by a leading production team, Twisted, finds its inspiration from the rich cultural heritage and tall tales DiSalvo heard during his upbringing in a vibrant Italian American household in Brooklyn. The story dives deep into the traditions of the Italian town Andrista, where annually, villagers hunt and capture the mythical Badalisc as part of their Epiphany celebrations.
Embracing cultural roots
DiSalvo’s aim is to craft “a fun, big movie” that is both “super silly with tons of heart.” He passionately expresses his desire to bring the “awesome, superstitious, loving, wonderful, rich history of growing up Italian” to the forefront. The film promises to immerse audiences in the quaint small town of Valcamonica, nestled in Lombardy, where for centuries the villagers have anciently gathered to hunt the Badalisc, a horned creature of myth that traditionally reveals community secrets and resolves grievances, bringing harmony for another year.
An unexpected challenge
In an intriguing twist unique to DiSalvo’s adaptation, the tradition takes an unexpected turn. The community grows weary of having their secrets exposed and banishes the Badalisc. This departure opens the door for a nuanced exploration of truth, community, and acceptance, particularly through the eyes of Angelina, a smoothly talking teen working in her family’s pizza shop. With familial expectations pushing her to lofty heights, Angelina’s true passion lies in making pizza, crafting a relatable dichotomy for many young viewers.
Characters with depth and relatability
Contrasting the truth-telling Badalisc, Angelina’s flaw is her tendency to tell people what they want to hear, leading her on a path filled with lies. As the story evolves, her journey with the banished beast pushes her to confront her deception and ultimately seek redemption by saving her town of Andrista. This central conflict poses thought-provoking questions about honesty and whether brutal truths are preferable to comforting lies.
A personal connection
Drawing heavily on his experiences growing up in a pizzeria-owning family, DiSalvo admits, “All my life experiences took place in that pizzeria. It’s the lens through which I viewed the world.” As a first-generation Italian American, balancing traditional and modern family expectations shaped much of his creative outlook. His transition from a life expected to uphold the family’s pizza legacy to becoming a celebrated animator reflects a deeply personal journey that’s intricately interwoven into the fabric of Twisted.
Learning through experience
DiSalvo’s career trajectory is nothing short of impressive. Recruited at 20, he spent 16 stellar years at Walt Disney Animation Studios, contributing as head animator on the Oscar-winning film “Frozen” and other beloved projects like Tangled and Bolt. Post-Disney, his roles expanded from creative director at Paramount Animation to heading creative ventures at ON Animation Studios in Paris. Most recently, he directed and produced the Emmy-nominated Christmas special Reindeer in Here for CBS Studios and Paramount+.
Collaboration and vision
For Twisted, DiSalvo partners with Paris-based Mediawan Kids & Family, a powerhouse known for its impressive slate of animation prestige. DiSalvo praises the team’s belief and resourcefulness in bringing his vision to life. Early presentations of the project at industry events like Annecy and Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux have met with enthusiastic responses, underscoring the industry’s desire for personal, fantastical stories laden with humor and heart.
The road ahead
With fervent expectations and a team of capable visionaries behind it, Twisted aims to be more than just another animated feature. It looks to resonate deeply with audiences by melding culturally rich, relatable stories with whimsical adventures. The anticipation surrounding the project suggests a bright future, inviting viewers to discover and share in the magic of this Italian-American animated journey.
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