Jules in the land of Asha | Listen to your child’s heart

La majorité des enfants ont cette fascinante capacité de s’émerveiller devant les petites choses. Ils sont curieux et imaginatifs. Devant un problème, ils trouvent souvent des solutions si simples qu’elles font sourire les adultes. Dans Jules au pays d’Asha, on retrouve toutes ces charmantes caractéristiques de la jeunesse. Cela ne donne qu’une envie : écouter son cœur d’enfant et partir à l’aventure.

Dans ce conte familial récompensé au dernier Festival international du film pour enfants de Montréal, Sophie Farkas Bolla transporte petits et grands « quelque part [dans le] North America”, in the 1940s. There we meet Jules (Alex Dupras), a resourceful and curious, but lonely boy. Afflicted with a very rare skin disease, he is the target of ridicule in the village to such an extent that he can no longer attend school.

When his faithful canine companion Flagrant flees into the woods, Jules crosses paths with Asha (Gaby Jourdain). The young native tells him that his mother could cure him. The only problem: she doesn’t know where she is. Is it on the “current Indian reservation” that Jules saw on a map? To find out, the duo undertakes a great expedition.

Through the quest of the two children, we marvel at the beauty of the landscapes filmed in the Laurentians, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Baie-James. The verdant forest seems almost magical through the lens of Sophie Farkas Bolla, who is making her feature debut here. An impression amplified by the joyful music that accompanies the young adventurers during their journey punctuated by astonishing events, such as this night lit by fireflies.

But beyond the beauty of nature, it is above all that of childhood that the filmmaker succeeds brilliantly in highlighting.

First, by recounting the birth of a friendship without judgement, in which differences are seen as strengths. A friendship nourished by a reciprocal interest in getting to know each other. In this sense, the film allows you to learn more about Aboriginal history and culture, especially thanks to the character of the benevolent Niimi (Kevin Papatie), without however becoming too educational and boring.

Then, by showing that in the children’s replies sometimes hides a great wisdom that we would benefit from listening to. When Jules asks his mother (Marilyse Bourque) why his uncle, who is mayor of the town, hates the natives, she replies that he needs their territory to enlarge the village. “Can’t we just share it? “replies the boy. A question that makes you think.

Note also the performance of Emmanuel Schwartz in the role of this cold, strict and mean man. Marilyse Bourque offers for her part some of the most touching scenes in the company of the interpreter of her son, Alex Dupras. We also feel a great bond between the young actor and Gaby Jourdain, who plays Asha. For the latter, it is her first steps in the cinema.

A wind of renewal

If the offer of Quebec children’s films has been rather weak in recent decades, the year 2022 seems to mark a turning point which we can only rejoice. firm coconut, Katak, the brave beluga, slush heart and now Jules in the land of Asha testify to the quality of local productions for children and teenagers. Feature films that have nothing to envy to those of Disney or DreamWorks, apart from their budget, of course.

Indoors

family movie

Jules in the land of Asha

Sophie Farkas Bolla

With Alex Dupras, Gaby Jourdain, Emmanuel Schwartz

1:29 a.m.

8/10