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The Old Woman's Story

This horror story from Voltaire's 'Candide (or Optimism)' is part of a larger project. Utilizing all of the popular gossip of the 18th century, this survivor's misfortunes have made her appreciate the little things. Born the daughter of a Pope, the Old Woman has experienced the death of a fiancé, rape by pirates, slavery, plague and cannibalism in wartime. Written by one of history's great philosophers.

  • Sean Nadeau
    Director
    Fabulous Allan Carr, In the Gutter, Doggity's Diner, Growing up Gotti
  • Felix Pire
    Key Cast
    "Eunuch, Imam, Ship Passengers"
    12 Monkeys
  • Bonnie Root
    Key Cast
    "Cunegonde"
    Cold Case
  • Sean Nadeau
    Key Cast
    "Candide, Old Woman"
    Party of Five
  • Moira Rogers
    Key Cast
    "Princess of Palestrina"
  • Tawny Ellis
    Music
    Music Supervision / 'Spark of Love' song
  • Gio Loria
    Music
    Composer
  • Walter Spencer
    Music
    'Coming Up Roses' song
  • Sean Nadeau
    Writer
    The Promise
  • Sean Nadeau
    Producer
  • Sean Nadeau
    Character Design
    Mr Pickles, Momma Named Me Sheriff, The Fabulous Allan Carr, Tales From the Tour Bus
  • Sean Nadeau
    Animator
    The Fabulous Allan Carr, Mr. Pickles, Doggity's Diner, Yoshimi Battes the Pink Robots, Down With Love
  • Project Type:
    Animation
  • Genres:
    Adventure, Horror, Historical
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 41 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 14, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    32,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Adobe Animate
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 25, 2024
    World Premiere
    Best Animated Short
Director Biography - Sean Nadeau

Sean has created animated content for A&E, NBC, Nickelodeon, Disney Television, Warner Brothers Records, Sony Pictures and Sprout Channel.
He spent 5 seasons on Adult Swim's Mr.Pickles / Momma Named Me Sheriff, creates characters for the Liquid Death Murder Man commercials and currently makes the shouting skeleton spots for Torq cyber security.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I've thought that there needed to be a modern version of Candide since I first discovered a cassette tape of Leonard Bernstein's musical in a library sale bin at CalArts. I couldn't believe the crazy adult situations in a 1950's musical about the 18th century. Banned for blasphemy, sedition and intellectual hostility when released, Voltaire's book was highly critical of the status quo and the ruling classes of his time. Most of which still applies today.
"If you want happiness, work at some meaningful activity." -Voltaire