► From 3 years old
♦ The little hedgehog in the mist and other marvels ****
Program of Russian short films, 39 min
Malavida strikes again! The distributor specializing in nuggets of Eastern European film heritage offers a collection of masterpieces of Russian animation on the theme of friendship. Among them, Once upon a time there was a dog by Eduard Nazarov, is the adaptation of a Ukrainian tale celebrating mutual aid which resonates strongly with current events (Malavida donates ten centimes per admission to Unicef for Ukraine).
Restored and for the first time in French version (with the voice of Philippe Caubère), the short film by Youri Norstein which gives its title to the program is a pure marvel of mystery and sweetness celebrated throughout the world as one of the most beautiful animated films ever made. Just that !
♦ The birth of the *** oases
Program of five animated short films, 41 mins
“A bit of fresh water and greenery / That nature gives us. » It is with the air of jungle book in mind that we watch this anthology of animated films using various techniques (watercolor, cut-out paper or painting on glass) awakening the curiosity of the youngest in nature. A family of rain droplets complete the water cycle in the Danish film Dropsa drop heated by the sun becoming misted up there in the sky. The birth of the oases, by Marion Jamault, who gives her name to the program, evokes the origin of these lush islets in the middle of the desert. ” It takes little to be happy ».
► From 5 years old
♦ The Lion and the Three Brigands **
Norwegian animated film by Rasmus A. Sivertsen, 1:19 p.m
A tale about living together famous in Norway, this animated musical comedy adaptation is a plea for tolerance, inclusion and harmony, in a diverse society where everyone must be able to find their place. A mischievous but too repetitive entertainment.
» READ THE REVIEW: « The Lion and the Three Brigands », the Daltons Norwegian version
► From 6 years old
♦ As the crow flies ***
Program of animated short films, 55 mins
It’s a breath of fresh air offered by this program of three animated short films intended
to all audiences. His piece de resistance: funny birds, by Charlie Belin, is an enchanting parenthesis in the wild nature of Saumur. This slice of life with realistic accents, which the dubbing of the voices and the animation, extraordinary finesse, make even more naturalistic, focuses on the feelings of the child. Or how to grow by confronting the outside world…
READ THE REVIEW: “As the crow flies”, enchanted parentheses in the wilderness
♦ spring tales **
Programs of animated short films, 39 mn
Let’s take a walk in the woods while spring is here. An invitation to look at the forest, its finery and its dangers differently, this relatively coherent program brings together no less than four very beautiful short films with singular charm and strong messages. Delicate and attentive to expressions, the animation is at the service of atypical stories calling to go ahead of others.
♦ Naya’s Kingdom *
Ukrainian animated film, 1 h 39
Well known to Ukrainian schoolchildren, this fantastic tale depicts a romance a la Romeo and Juliet, in which the clans of Verona are replaced by humans, on the one hand, and the spirits of the forest, on the other. The green theme is coupled with a call for peace between men which obviously takes on a particular dimension in the Ukrainian context.
» READ THE REVIEW: « The Kingdom of Naya », a Ukrainian animated film about respecting nature
♦ The egg race *
Mexican animation film by Gabriel and Rodolfo Riva Palacio Alatriste, 1:30 a.m.
Since the 2000s, Las filmsof eggs – egg films – have become a real social phenomenon in Mexico. The characters of the Riva brothers, anthropomorphic eggs looking like M & M’s sweets, return in a film without much interest and a little absurd. A Mexican rooster and hen, who have just had two little golden eggs, try to save them from the clutches of collectors. Calibrated for an international broadcast all in computer generated images, this umpteenth egg race is exhausted in the cadence of a Hollywood action film.
► From 7 years old
♦ Super Mario Bros., the Movies **
American-Japanese animated film by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, 1:32
Technically grandiose, this film, intended to please the greatest number with its saturated colors, also offers a beautiful narrative fluidity and its share of thrills. It does not repeat less of the narrative gimmicks expected of the fans of the video game which weigh down the whole, but which one guesses that they have other functions, more commercial.
READ THE REVIEW: “Super Mario Bros. », an adaptation that plays with the codes of video games
► From 9 years old
♦ Pompoko ***
Animated film by Isao Takahata, 1:54 (in theaters April 19)
Directed by Isao Takahata, co-founder of Studio Ghibli and director of Tomb of the Fireflies, this bittersweet fable about the struggle of a colony of tanukis (kind of raccoons) to preserve their living space, skilfully oscillates between reality and imagination, earthiness and seriousness. Despite some narrative heaviness, the film is like other Ghibli productions: visually dazzling and conducive to reflection on our natural environment.
► From 11 years old
♦ Suzume**
Japanese anime film by Makoto Shinkai, 2:02 (in theaters April 12)
This latest animated feature film by Makoto Shinkai, star of Japanese animation cinema, will no doubt appeal to teenagers whose ill-being he likes to Time.news. He mixes romance, fantasy and a pinch of humor in order to sublimate the mourning linked to the earthquake and the tsunami of 2011.
READ THE REVIEW: ‘Suzume,’ Tsunami Trauma Revisited by Makoto Shinkai