It was released on 15 March 2006 in France and 28 July 2006 in the UK by Pathé Distribution and on 22 September 2006 in the US by Miramax Films.

In the English-language version, some of the main characters are voiced by Daniel Craig, Jonathan Pryce and Ian Holm.

Renaissance uses a style of motion capture animation in which almost all images are exclusively black-and-white; only occasional colour is used for detail.

The film concerns a French policeman investigating the kidnapping of a scientist who may hold the key to eternal life in a futuristic and slightly dystopian Paris.

Muller worked for Avalon as their top scientist but left after he failed to find a cure and his brother died.

Karas asks Ilona's sister, Bislane, who works for Avalon to break into the company's Archives to discover what Muller was researching.

He explains that he took Ilona because through her research she has discovered the secret to eternal life (as he himself did 40 years ago); but knowing what the consequences would be if Avalon acquired such knowledge, he kidnapped her.

Karas then deduces that the mysterious old man is Muller's younger brother: now immortal but trapped in an elderly body.

The animated characters were placed in three-dimensional computer backdrops, with post-process effects added to achieve the film's final look.

Volckman initially wanted Karas to drive a Citroën DS and approached the company for permission to use it in the film.

The film grossed a total of $1,831,348 worldwide – $70,644 in North America and $1,760,704 in other territories[5] – including $1,520,587 in Algeria, France, Monaco, Morocco and Tunisia.

The site's consensus reads, "Renaissance attempts to blend sci-fi wonder with stark noir animation, but is often more fun to look at than to watch.