Les Triplettes de Belleville

© Bright Angel Distribution (NL)
photo courtesy: MVSP Public Relations

Who could ever possibly forget those wonderful triplets from Belleville, who were all the rage in the music halls of the 1930's? Certainly no one who has seen this film! From the very beginning, when we are enthralled by vintage footage from one of their earlier performances, when they were still in their prime, we are captivated by their electrifying presence and their striking performance style. Even more engrossing, once we become acquainted with them, are the three main protagonists. Champion is a shy and lonely boy who, upon discovering a passion for bike racing, manages to center his energies into a powerful ability in sport, constantly championed onward by his loving grandmother, Madame Souza, and her lifelong companion, the dog Bruno. When the boy is unexpectedly kidnapped by dastardly figures during the bike race, Mme. Souza and her dog start off on a rescue mission to find the missing boy which leads them to the village of Belleville, where she accepts the generous assistance of the once renowned and deliciously eccentric sisters who live there.

© Bright Angel Distribution (NL)
photo courtesy: MVSP Public Relations

Sylvain Chomet has really done it this time! After being nominated for an Oscar^®; in 1998 for his short animation " La Vieille Dame et les Pigeons" ("The Old Lady and the Pigeons"), he now tickles our funny bones with the charming, delightful, clever, fascinating, and very humorous " Les Triplettes de Belleville" ("The Triplets of Belleville"). In its time "La Vielle Dame" won the "Cartoon d'Or" and the main award at the International Festival of Annecy, and a BAFTA Award as well as the Jury Prize at the "Festival Premier Plan of Angers". It's only a matter of time to see how many awards his newest treat (and debut feature-length film) will pick up while wending its delightful way through the cinemas of the world. The beauty of animation is often that it does not, similarly to the cinema of yore, rely upon words to tell a story, but rather upon the main roots of action combined with the visual. Director/scriptwriter/animator Chomet has magically merged these basic cinematic values into a vehicle for his engrossing story telling.

An animated comedy (that will leave you equally animated) featuring, among innumerable other elements, the Tour de France, Jacques Tati, Josephine Baker, frogs' legs, and Fred Astaire, all inspired and coming to life with the music of Django Reinhardt. One shouldn't dream of missing this event, both not only because it is a magnificent piece of work, but mostly because it is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Having already captivated the hearts of many a judge (and captured many a nomination in the meantime), this movie is accessible to the entire range of humanity, in a place where age is of no matter at all.

For those of you who still aren't convinced by these short and simple words of wisdom from TGH, take a peek at the film's website ( www.lestriplettesdebelleville.com ) and watch your resistance dissolve. While you're at it, feel free to send TGH@hartnett.nl a "Triplette" postcard telling us about your cartoon conversion.

A Don't Miss! Au revoir!