17 April 2026
Hope-65 – a Chimp Explores the Stars to Find a New Planet for Humanity
In the not too distant future, we reach out beyond our own solar system in search of a new home. To do this, space ships are launched, “manned” by our closest relative – chimpanzees. Specially trained, they must ascertain whether or not our exodus may begin, giving us a new home full of natural resources to claim as our own. One of these chimpanzee explorers is Hope-65, one of a long line of her kind to go into space on our behalf. She eventually arrives at a planet which fulfils all the necessary criteria to sustain us into the future. It’s time to let us know, so we can journey to our new home…
This beautifully made animated short was created as a graduation project over a two-year period by students at Ecole Brassart, a French school of the creative professions. The character animation of Hope-65 herself is expert, belying the fact that this is a student made film. The new planet is gorgeous - realised with great care and attention - I think anyone might wish to live there! Although one does have to suspend disbelief around a chimp being allowed to make such a final final decision, that's not too much to ask!
Hope-65 was created by Eliott Curaba, Louis Grand, Nolan Vercasson, Alicia
Serra, Mathilde Peis, Evan Mastropietro, Tonin Molina and Léo Soler with music
and sound design by Görkem Agar, Eliott Manche-Gentelet, Hugo Bressaud and Ayden
Heurtevent. I think this is probably the
first time we have featured something by Brassart students on Kuriositas, and
from the quality of this, I very much doubt it will be the last. A huge congratulations to all the students
(and their teachers) involved in this animated short – it really is something
to be proud of.
