Ernest and Célestine, the inseparable friends born from the imagination of Belgian illustrator and author Gabrielle Vincent, are back in an animated feature film, 10 years after winning hearts in the work that bears their name and won the César for best animated film. Since then, the friendly duo has had its own television series, produced by Julien Chheng and Jean-Christophe Roger. It is under the direction of these last two that the improbable companions return to the big screen.
The two characters at the antipodes of each other have hardly changed. Little Célestine (voice of Pauline Brunner) still possesses the innocence and impetuosity of childhood. His eagerness to please his only friend, grumpy Ernest, gets him into trouble. After breaking her boyfriend’s precious violin, she bravely heads for the only place where the instrument can be repaired: in Charabie, the land of origin of the not so badly licked bear. That the latter does not want to return to where he was born hardly moves her and she ignores the danger. Listening only to his big heart, Ernest (voice of Lambert Wilson) sets off after him. Together, they discover a country where even the birds are watered so that they stop singing. They join the musical resistance to try, once again, to overthrow the established order and fight the law of “it’s like that and not otherwise”.
The film, imbued with sweetness despite the many twists and turns, suits the style of pastel and watercolor drawings, inspired by the books of Gabrielle Vincent. Nobody is really bad in this region where children must do their parents’ job. The police, responsible for enforcing the regulations, are easily fooled. With great humour, directors Julien Chheng and Jean-Christophe Roger convey their message in favor of freedom and the right to develop one’s full potential, to express one’s dissent and not to respect absurd social rules.
The music, however banned, brightens up this production intended for all members of the family. Composed and orchestrated by Vincent Courtois, it rises in silence and refuses to be silent. Ernest and Célestine, who still do not take offense at their differences, come out stronger from the adventure, which will certainly not be their last.
Animation Film
Ernest and Celestine – The trip to Charabie
Julien Chheng and Jean-Christophe Roger
Voice of Pauline Brunner, Lambert Wilson
1:20 a.m.
Indoors