What is The Gools (Shangool and Mangool)?
The Gools is a vibrant and adventurous children’s animated feature film. Directed by Kianoush Dalvand and Farzad Dalvand, the film was produced in 2022–23 and released in Iranian cinemas on November 20, 2024.
According to IBland, this animation blends the nostalgia of a classic folktale with fresh fantasy and adventure elements, designed to delight children and early teens.
Film Details and International Reach
- Directors: Kianoush Dalvand & Farzad Dalvand
- Writers: Kianoush Dalvand & Bahram Heydari
- Producers: Dariush Dalvand & Sara Emami
- Voice Cast (Persian version): Hootan Shakiba, Mohammad-Reza Alimardani, Hamed Ahangi, Hooman Haji-Abdollahi, Behnoush Bakhtiari, Hadi Kazemi, Asha Mehrabi, Shokath-Hojjat, Samaneh Pakdel, Kamran Tafti, Hedyeh Bazvand, Maryam Babaei, Mohammad-Amin Eshghi, Hoodin, Ali Movakelian, Morteza Mokarami, Mehrnoush Golzarian, Majid Aghakarimi.
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure – Kids & Teens
- Production companies: Arya Animation & Tassvir Gostar Pasargad
- Investor: Ali Taherian
- International Releases: China (as Kung Fu Gools), Bulgaria, Russia, UAE, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey etc. Under the international title The Gools.
- Key facts: Animated in collaboration among Iran, China, the USA and Canada (English-dubbed in Los Angeles with Hollywood voice actors).
- Box Office: In its first three days in Iran it earned ~$14.2M and ranked fifth in the weekly box-office.
- Festivals & Awards: Won Best Animation, Best Screenplay, Best Sound at Kenya Film Festival; entered Berlin International; awarded Best Animation at Isfahan Children’s Film Festival among others.
How Faithful is The Gools to the Original Story?
The film draws inspiration from the Persian folktale (a local variant of “The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats”), yet it takes considerable creative liberties.
Where the original focuses on three young goats, a cunning wolf, and a mother goat, The Gools transforms and expands the narrative into a full-blown fantasy adventure:
- The setting is a terrorised forest ruled by a menacing wolf tyrant, “Khampouzeh”, who preys ruthlessly on the woodland creatures.
- Three young goat; Shangool (a bold daughter), Mangool (her competitive brother) and Habeh Angoor (the youngest sibling); take up the cause of change.
- Together with a wise martial arts master and various talented forest animals, they rise up to challenge the wolf’s reign of fear.
Thus, while the core characters echo the classic tale, the plot, world-building, and themes diverge substantially; emphasising teamwork, bravery, justice, and self-discovery in a modern, cinematic style.
Characters & Plot Summary
Main Characters
- Shangool: A spirited female goat, often proud but a natural leader who protects her siblings and friends.
- Mangool: Shangool’s brother, driven by the need to prove himself; his impulsiveness sets the story in motion.
- Habeh Angoor: The youngest sibling, curious and inventive, key in the unfolding adventure.
- Khampouzeh: The fearsome wolf lord, hiding in his sinister castle and terrorising the forest under a “hunting-ban” law he once enforced.
- Mama Goat (Saye Sorkh / The Red Shadow): Their mother, whose superhero alter-ego is revealed mid-journey, and whose story intersects with the forest’s fate.
- The Master: A wise martial-arts teacher who guides Shangoole & Mangool but must overcome his own doubts to engage in the final battle.
Storyline
Once, fear and chaos reigned in the forest because of Khampouzeh. An earlier champion, the mysterious Red Shadow, drove him back and secured a hunting-ban contract, restoring peace; and then vanished. Years later, Shangool and Mangool are sent to a martial-arts school and unwittingly infiltrate Khampouzeh’s lair. Captured alongside their friends, the siblings and Mama Goat rally the woodland animals, reveal Mama’s secret identity as the Red Shadow, and strike back. With unity and courage, the forest is liberated and harmony is restored.
Why The Gools Stands Out
- Cultural resonance + global ambition: By adapting a Persian folktale for worldwide audiences, the film offers locally-rooted storytelling with international appeal. The title The Gools references the final syllables of “Shangool and Mangool”.
- Strong female lead: Shangool is central, marking a conscious decision by the filmmakers to foreground a female hero and explore the psychological maturity journey of younger characters.
- Professional dubbing & voice cast: With top Iranian voice actors and a Hollywood-premium English dub, the film bridges linguistic markets and multiplatform distribution.
- Technical and production investment: Production began in 2017 and spanned five years. The team targeted cutting-edge animation techniques at the outset to ensure quality and consistency.
- Educational & family themes: The narrative emphasises cooperation, facing fears, and defending the vulnerable; making it suitable for children (9 +) and family watching.
Source: kodoumo