The Art of Pho is a deliciously surreal interactive motion comic by Submarine Channel about a lovable creature named Little Blue and his friends. Through an extraordinary sequence of events, Little Blue ends up in Ho Chi Minh City where he learns to master the Art of making Pho (Phở) – Vietnam’s ubiquitous noodle soup. The adventures that ensue set him on a marvelous path of self-discovery.

Based on the graphic novel debut by Julian Hanshaw, The Art of Pho is a moving story and travelogue about friendship, love, and discovering your roots, set against the backdrop of Vietnam’s bustling capital.

With animation director Lois van Baarle, Submarine Channel re-created The Art of Pho for the web, adding the dimensions of music, voice acting, hand-drawn animation and interactivity to Hanshaw’s exquisitely drawn artwork.

Awards & Nominations

Winner: Prix Europa: Best Online Project (2012)
Winner: Lovie Gold Award and the People’s Lovie Award in the category Best Use of Interactive Video 2012
Winner: FWA Site of the Day – March 3, 2012
Nomination: 2012 Banff Rockie Award
Nomination: 2012 Webby Award in the categories Online Film & Video: Animation and Websites: Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics.

Credits

Written and drawn by Julian Hanshaw
Director: Lois van Baarle
Producers: Femke Wolting & Bruno Felix
Publisher Art of Pho book: The Random House Group Ltd
Publisher Art of Pho Interactive: (c) Submarine Channel (2011)
Creative producer: Remco Vlaanderen
Line Producer: Willeke Steenbeeke
Animation: Lois van Baarle, Danne Bakker, Laura van Noortwijk
Additional Animation: Nele van Haegenberg, Ferda Surensoy, Alice Sterre
Interaction Design: Karel Brascamp, Patrick Gutlich
Graphics en Web Design: Christiaan de Rooij
Image Editors: Yvonne Brouwers, Tom van der Heiden, Tim Jongmans
Music and Audio Post Production: Pastelle Music (Niels Hahn & Matteo Taheri)
Voices: Sebastian Prose (Little Blue), Dave Calderhead (Old Man/Joe), Claire Schuyffel (Sandy/Kim), Eva Hetharia (Beach Lady), Micah Westera (Angry Man/Phil/Jose)
Special thanks to: Random House, Julian Hanshaw, International Native Casting, English Casting

Submarine Channel is made possible with the financial support of
The Creative Industries Fund NL and Amsterdam.