The National Film Board of Canada
is presenting at the Victoria Film Festival, and what they’ve got is a wide range of adventures. From making statements about the society we’re in to a fun-filled twist on what a zombie pandemic can look like, even I have to be amazed. In part one, I’ll be taking a look at Bisou Sauvage and Szczerbowski.
This examination will be broken up into two parts to give the four pieces a decent look at why they must be viewed. And hey, Jay Baruchel is all-Canadian in this piece (you’ll have to read part two for that review), and I have to love the fact he’s broken away from his Hiccup past to show he has versatility with his vocal performances.
Bisou Sauvage by Bahij Jaroudi
Short Bursts: For the Faint of Heart (Feb 10 + 14)
WORLD PREMIERE
While the animation and art style of Bisou Sauvage are deceptively simple, the weight of its message is anything but basic. Animator Bahij Jaroudi presents us with a domestic snapshot: a couple locked in an embrace, viewing the world through the flickering lens of their television. What they witness is a relentless stream of tragedy, but the narrative shifts from passive observation to a sharp call to action with a single, resonant plea: we need to vote.
Jaroudi is aiming for something deeper than mere political commentary, he’s grappling with the duality of the human condition. As he noted in his statement to the press, the work explores the timeless philosophical question of whether humans are inherently good or evil. The title itself serves as the thesis: “Bisou” suggests tenderness and love, while “Sauvage” points toward our capacity for carrying out incredibly violent acts.
In the end, this short is a potent reminder that we live in the “in-between” of these two extremes. By leaning into the absurdity of our daily lives, where we can witness horror on a screen while holding onto those we love, Jaroudi leaves the audience feeling intrigued and perhaps a bit more aware of the power of their own agency. It’s a simple statement that asks us to embrace the absurdity of life while striving for something better.
Szczerbowski (aka The Girl Who Cried Pearls)
Short Bursts: For the Faint of Heart (Feb 10 + 14)
Also playing online on TheNFB’s website and YouTube
The Girl Who Cried Pearls by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski is a fable that looks at what happens when greed succeeds over love. This tale is a large flashback, told from the point of view of an old man
(Colm Feore) who has regrets. In what he tells his granddaughter (Gabrielle Dallaire), it’s easy to tell that he feels remorse.
What makes for an interesting contrast is how stop-motion is used. The present is wickedly smooth and hyper-real in its presentation. But the past is much dirtier, and through the lens of marionette-style puppetry, it’s tough to tell if the shift is meant to mean something deeper. That era looks like the late 19th century, with a few trolleys to boot, and it’s safe to say not everyone grew up with a privileged life.
As a young man, this individual recalls taking away teardrops from this girl and pawning them away. With the money, he’s able to survive. But as for the girl, it seems she becomes a distant memory in his eyes, which is rather sad. As the title suggests, these hardened crystals become highly prized, and the money he gains takes him down a path perhaps similar to Ebenezer Scrooge. But instead of hoarding, he’s investing, which establishes where he is today.
The question of whether he learned his lesson or not makes for the heart of this film. I won’t spoil the end, as this tale is meant to provoke thought and awareness about what one does may not necessarily be for the better, but instead evokes regret.
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