TheNFB and Janet Perlman’s The Girl with the Red Beret is Slice of Life at its Best

Out of all the animated works The National Film Board of Canada has produced over the years, The Girl with the Red Beret (La fille au béret rouge) ups the ante on what “slice of life” means. Here, what gets presented is about an experience and how one little girl sees a an entire world can unfold in Montreal as she rides the Metro.

It’s possible to experience a lot when riding public transit. And what’s presented is not just about whom she encounters, but also in how time marches on. There’s no big story here. Although I was paying attention to the pickpocket’s attempt to steal from this young lady, that narrative disappears midway. Afterwards, another plot popped in and I had to ask why attempt to transport a large couch on this ride? I’m sure others have tried in real life, and failed.

What Janet Perlman manages to successfully capture is what’s unique to this massive city. This mecca of culture and the arts has character. A few images presented in this work include singing nuns, a clown, and mounted police. I won’t pretend I know the faces presented in this piece, and instead offer how I feel after seeing this work. It has me singing! I’m tempted to go there this summer not only to experience the life presented herein but also enjoy Fantasia Film Festival! What this short offers is comfort.

When compared to the chaos in navigating JR Rail (Tokyo), which I’ve done long ago, to see what wonders one can find is simply about people watching. As for what can or cannot be taken on board (or what one can get away with), that’s just one story. Another concerns the sudden changing of the seasons. I’m sure there’s a deeper message behind that transition, but I’ll have to view this work again when it hits streaming. It shouldn’t take long for this work to appear on theNFB’s website, as it shouldn’t be limited to film festivals to discover.

The Girl with the Red Beret played at the
Victoria Film Festival as part of the
“Returning” Short Bursts Program

Author: Ed Sum

I'm a freelance videographer and entertainment journalist (Absolute Underground Magazine, Two Hungry Blokes, and Otaku no Culture) with a wide range of interests. From archaeology to popular culture to paranormal studies, there's no stone unturned. Digging for the past and embracing "The Future" is my mantra. View all posts by Ed Sum