Saturday, March 14, 1:00 pm 

Charlotte Center City Lecture Hall

Ernest et Célestine

Directors Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner

France, 2012, 80 min

In French with English subtitles

Presented as part of The Tournées Festival, which was made possible with the support of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the US, the Centre National de la Cinématographie et de l’Image Animée, and the Franco-American Cultural Fund.

Additional sponsors are the Alliance Française de Charlotte and the UNC Charlotte French Club.

Introduction and discussion by Jane Houston, Instructor of French, UNC Charlotte

Photo credit: Ernest et Célestine / Ernest & Celestine © GKids

This utterly charming animated film about interspecies friendship, directed by Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Pater, and Benjamin Renner, is based on a series of children’s books by the Belgian author-illustrator Gabrielle Vincent (1929–2000). In an unnamed French city, two different realms of sworn enemies exist: Above ground live bears; below it reside mice. Celestine, a wee mouse orphan who is being trained for a career in dentistry but dreams of being an artist instead, meets a kindred spirit in adult Ernest, an ursine musician whom she convinces not to eat her. The seal their bond by breaking into a candy store together and soon find themselves on the lam from those who are appalled by their amity. These unlikely friends set up their own home in the woods, delighting in both their similarities and differences. The detailed, warm, hand-drawn animation emphasizes the tender companionship between a mouse who loves to sketch and a bear who is happiest when playing a violin.

Reviews:

From its inventive visuals to its unruly heroes, Ernest & Celestine is an equal pleasure for children and adults. A modern-day period piece, a fabulous fable, a most fortunate use of animation artistry! —LA Times

Advances the art of animation without seeming to try! —Wall Street Journal

Awards:

Best Animated Film – César Awards (2013)

Official Selection – Academy Awards (2014)

Social Media Links: Ernest et Célestine on YouTube