Ovation TV Network Creats Art of Animation Programming Block Called “Unreal Worlds”

Ovation, the only television network dedicated to arts culture, is taking viewers on a trip to “Unreal Worlds” beginning May 21. The programming event showcases the art of animation and the creative vision of some of animation’s finest directors. Included are the US Television Premieres of two animated features with vastly different, but equally stunning visual styles: Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence and Millennium Actress.

Kicking off “Unreal Worlds” is the follow up to Mamoru Oshii’s critically acclaimed movie Ghost in the Shell. In this sequel, the year is 2032 and the line between humanity and technology has increasingly blurred. Cyborg detective, Batou, investigates a series of mysterious murders being committed by service robots manufactured by a powerful company. When he uncovers a sinister plot to exploit the “essence” of humanity in order to fuel the creation of an advanced robot, he learns that it’s a secret the
company will stop at nothing to protect. Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence will have its US Television Premiere on Saturday, May 21 at 8:00 p.m ET/10:00 p.m. PT.

Taking on the complex narrative style of a play within a play is acclaimed director Satoshi Kon’s Millennium Actress. In this intriguing animated feature, the story centers on the closure of a 70-year-old film studio and the documentary filmmaker who decides to chronicle the historic building’s legacy through the career of one of its biggest stars. As the Garbo-like actress talks, her life and her many characters merge in a journey across time from the Sengoku period to a futuristic space age. The US Television
Premiere of Millennium Actress is Thursday, May 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET/10:00 p.m. PT

Also airing during “Unreal Worlds” is Renaissance, a unique black-and-white animated film by Christian Volckman. Set in 2054 Paris, where all movement is monitored and recorded, the city’s largest company, Avalon, insinuates itself into every aspect of contemporary life to sell its primary export — youth and beauty. Assigned to solve the kidnapping of one of the company’s scientists, police captain Karas (voiced by Clive Owen) faces a moral conflict when he discovers the truth behind the
abduction. The Ovation premiere of Renaissance is Monday, May 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET/11:30 p.m. PT.

For a full listing of the animated features showcased during “Unreal Worlds,” as well as previews and trailers, please visit http://www.ovationtv.com