Description
A deliciously twisted DIY fable: Kung Fu Kitty serves up live cats, epic adventures and a Magic Mouse.
Kung Fu Kitty is a whimsical book and DVD project written and directed by playwright Lauri Bortz. The release embodies pure DIY, proving how boundless, resourceful underground craft can yield a rich, fully realized multimedia universe without corporate polish. Long before feline content conquered digital culture, Kung Fu Kitty presciently anticipated the internet's obsession with cats as the ultimate cultural meme and absurdist muse, channeling their chaotic charm into a ambitious cinematic vision was years ahead of its time. Blending print storytelling with a live-action video performance, the release delivers an idiosyncratic fable brought to life through animal actors, intricate set designs, original visual art, and an accompanying musical score. Loosely based on the Book of Exodus set in mythical ancient China, the story centers on Wu Zhua (Kung Fu Kitty), a feline born into a kingdom where cats live under the rule of monkeys. Sent upriver to escape destruction, she is raised alongside an exiled monkey princess before discovering her true identity and the plight of her oppressed fellow cats. Armed with martial arts discipline and spiritual purpose, Kung Fu Kitty embarks on a quest for freedom and self-discovery. The project unfolds across two complementary components: The DVD: The 78-minute high-definition film enacts the tale using a cast of live cats (starring Abaton mascot Frick-the-Cat) alongside an array of stuffed monkeys performing in hand-painted, miniature cardboard sets. The Book: a 112-page volume features dozens of richly detailed black-and-white illustrations created by Marianne Nowottny, framing the narrative with a magic-realist aesthetic. Adding another layer, Nowottny served as set designer and composer, creating an expansive 17-track score. Together, the book, film, and soundtrack stand as a unique underground artifact of folklore, feline video art, and experimentation. For children of all ages.
Media
Track Listing
- Kung Fu Kitty
Additional Details
Label: Abaton Book Company
Genre: Kids MOVIE
Language: English
Run Time: 60 mins
Region: 0
Release Date: 12/15/26
UPC: 675130546829