Hi everyone, I’m Cédric Babouche, the art director behind it Dordogne, a heartfelt storytelling adventure in watercolors! The French studio Un Je Ne Sais Quoi, part of the animation group Umanimation, has been working on this indie creation for the last few years and it will finally be released on June 13th! You take on the role of Mimi, a 32-year-old who is searching for her childhood memories of the place where she spent summers as a child. And that place is the idyllic Dordogne region of southwestern France.
When we started the project, our starting point was to create a family history. The Southwest region, where I spent many summer vacations as a child, was a frequent theme in our early drafts and sketches, so it felt like a natural choice for our story’s setting. This connection to my roots allows us to tell a really heartfelt story that fits the family theme perfectly.
Since the rest of the team didn’t share this history and familiarity with the region, we traveled there together so everyone could get a feel for it. We visited the famous places that are a big part of the Dordogne identity, but also spent time away from the obvious places to distance ourselves from the traditional postcard material and get closer to everyday life there: meeting people in the market, feeling the presence of the river.
This allows you to visit some real places like Sarlat, La Roque-Gageac, Castelnau-la-Chapelle and of course the Dordogne river. These weren’t locations we originally intended to include – the story came first and the real-life locations you can visit were chosen based on the needs of our story. So first we thought, “Let’s go to the market” and then, “Let’s make it the Sarlat market because it’s so iconic.” We also added a scene with the kayak and then decided to go via La- Roque-Gageac because the magical experience of discovering the view from the river is so iconic.
So, Dordogne gives you the feeling of visiting the region and the places that shape its identity. At the same time, it feels like a peaceful stay, enjoying the serene atmosphere of nature and villages. The hand-painted watercolor depiction of this idyllic setting helps convey that sense of calm. We drew miniature sketches in front of the actual landscapes to capture a spontaneous feel for the places and give them an enchanting presence. The sound and music will also really draw you in, with recordings of nature sounds and a beautiful ambient score by French band Supernaive. Dordogne
Dordogne Coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on June 13th. It’s the perfect moment to take a trip to the Dordogne with Mimi. We hope you are ready to spend a relaxing moment in the south of France!
Dordogne
focus entertainment
$19.99
Immerse yourself in a unique storytelling experience and embark on a vivid journey that will awaken your senses and evoke warm memories. Play as Mimi and explore the treasured memories of your childhood and time spent with your late grandmother. When past meets present, confront your adult choices with fond childhood memories to uncover lost family secrets. Discover the landscapes of the Dordogne in a thousand summer colors in sumptuous hand-painted watercolor settings. During your adventure, remember the moments, the panoramas, the scents, the sounds and the sensations. Recount these vivid memories in your journal as a reminder of Mimi’s family past that is unique to your experience and as a nostalgic, touching reflection of your journey. • Explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Dordogne in hand-painted watercolors. • Embark on a unique and heartwarming storytelling experience. • Awaken your senses as you explore childhood memories. • Collect photos, sounds and scents to create your journal that matches your adventure
