As Animation First in NYC winds down its week long celebration, there’s still plenty to see as the weekend approaches. Not only will there be a spotlight on the National Film Board of Canada‘s French made works, but also there’ll be more feature films making their debut. Regarding the former, there’s eleven shorts (list can be read here) to take pleasure in checking out, and as for what was made available for me to screen in advance, I offer reviews of the following:
Nina and the Hedgehog’s Secret
This movie pays tribute not only to the early days of Disney animation but also becomes its own entity. That’s because the Hedgehog (voiced by Guillaume Bats) is drawn and animated much like how Mickey Mouse once looked, as created back in the Steamboat Willie days. While his interactions with the real world may well be a product of the title character’s imagination, what I got out of it is in how the two manage to help each other. The manifestation is right out of a storybook that Nina’s father would read to her every night.
Although this critter is not the focus of this work, what’s presented really concerns how Nina (Loan Longchamp) wants to help her father out. He’s out of a job and what she does is to search for a treasure to help the family out. It’s said to be hidden in the factory he was ousted from, and she has to figure out how to get in. There’s a pink-nosed doberman, and that’s when the Hedgehog makes the occasional appearance to help her out.
At first, I thought this film would be steeped in magical realism, but instead, it’s all circumstance. Everything presented has a Spielberg style vibe, and the charming interplay between the young girl and boy who helps her is magic in itself.
Ultimately, to see how she manages to find a way into the old factory makes up most of the story. She’s a very determined girl, and when all she wants is the best for her family, the way they all come together for her is important. And as for the hedgehog, those animated side stories only give this tale two heartwarming stories for the price of one!
4 Stars out of 5
The Sacred Cave
Africa is hardly the Third World country that some people may think of. Depending on which nation one chooses to focus on, there are filmmakers out there looking to make a difference in either telling a good ol’ fashioned story about their culture rather than embark on retelling a fable. In The Sacred Cave, this feature from the Republic of Cameroon shows a tale almost worthy of Hamlet. It’s about how a local tribe is threatened from within.
The King of Mabunos is poisoned, and it’s up to a young boy Manou (Bertrand Baleguel) to collect a plant from a sacred cave said to cure all. And along the way, Samba (Mbongue Epee) the warrior joins him. Together, they encounter proves there’s always going to be danger lurking in the shadows. From one or two mysterious anthropomorphic creatures to meeting other challenges, the king is saved, and the story doesn’t end there.
There’s still the question of who did the deed. The mystery isn’t all that deep, and that’s about when I lost interest. There isn’t enough investment made in developing the characters, and when they represent a world few understand, perhaps a primer is required. Although the animation style is very janky, the character designs and backgrounds are very vibrant. I liked the world building, but ultimately that isn’t enough to save this film.
3 Stars out of 5
Discover more from Otaku no Culture
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
