French connection

Did you know that France was the third largest producer of animated films in terms of technical expertise and storytelling? Never mind. Here’s a chance to catch up on French animated cinema. Bonjour India, an initiative by Alliance Francaise, will screen features and short films to different type of audiences in 10 cities in India. The selection will include two compilations drawn from the most important festival dedicated to animation, Best of Annecy 2017, for the general audience, and Best of Annecy Kids 2017.

The films to be screened include Tout En Haut Du Monde (Long Way North), the story of Sasha, a young Russian aristocrat, sets out on an adventurous journey to find her adventurer grandfather and save her family’s reputation. The film has won Golden Butterfly for Best Animated Feature Film – International Competition. 

Moving on, there’s Ma Maman Est En Amérique, Elle A Rencontré Buffalo Bill (My Mummy is in America and She Met Buffalo Bill). The story of Jean, a 6-year- old boy, who tells his teacher his mother is a secretary when she really travels the world.

Then there’s La Jeune Fille Sans Mains (The Girl Without Hands). A miller sells his daughter to the devil. Although her purity protects her, the devil takes her hands away as punishment. The film has been adapted from: The Girl Without Hands. Other films to be screened include, White Snake (Le Serpent Blanc), Hedgehog’s Home (La maison du hérisson), Le Petit Bonhomme de Poche (The Pocket Man),

Mr Night has a Day Off, The Little Bird and the Caterpillar (Der Kleine Vogel und Die Raupe), Prebudza ( Awaker), Gokurosama, La table and Jsme prece lidi (We’re Human, After All). —TNS 

To be screened from January 18 to January 20 at Alliance Francaise Chandigarh—36