Chomet 's next film was '' The Illusionist '' ( L'Illusionniste ) , which premiered at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2010 , after many delays ( it was first planned for release in 2007 ) . '' The Illusionist '' , like Chomet 's previous work , has its roots in mid twentieth century popular French culture . It is based on an unproduced script that Jacques Tati had written in 1956 as a personal letter to his estranged eldest daughter , and stars an animated version of Tati himself . It was originally conceived by Tati as a journey of love and discovery that takes two characters across western Europe to Prague . Chomet says that " Tati wanted to move from purely visual comedy and try an emotionally deeper story " and states that " It 's not a romance , it 's more the relationship between a dad and a daughter " . It cost an estimated £ 10 million to make , and was funded by Pathé Pictures
60th Berlin International Film Festival
60th Berlin International Film Festival
Sylvain Chomet