In order to highlight part of the behind the scenes of creation, Jacques-Rémy Girerd, director of the film L'Enfant au grelot, answers our dreamlike questionnaire.
Discover the dreamlike universe of the directors, the imaginary worlds that influence them, the conscious or unconscious references underlying the films.
Jacques-Rémy Girerd is an animated film director and producer, founder of the animated film studio Folimage (1981). Recognized worldwide, the Folimage studio produces television series, short and feature films, with the aim of creating original, quality animated films, strongly supporting author creation. Jacques-Rémy Girerd is also behind the creation of the world-renowned school: Poudrière.
Jacques-Rémy Girerd notably directed the three wonderful animated feature films “ La Prophétie des grenouilles » (2003), « Mia et le Migou » (2008) and « Tante Hilda » co-produced with Benoît Chieux (2008), but also very beautiful animated television series like “ Le Cirque bonheur » (1988), « Le Bonheur de la vie » (1992), « Mine de rien » (1994), « Ma petite planète chérie » (1996), and more recently, the educational series on health and nutrition with the voice of Jean-Pierre Coffe “C'est bon”, co-directed with Amandine Fredon and Serge Elissalde (2013).
“La Prophétie des grenouilles” is part of our ranking of best animated films for children and we are honored and delighted to be able to present to you a little of the dreamlike universe of Jacques-Rémy Girerd, the imaginary worlds that influence it.
1- The character who touched you the most?
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, (1719). Jean Valjean in Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, (1862). Elzéard Bouffier in The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono. And many, many more...
2- The character that scared you the most?
Generally speaking, in everyday life, few things scare me, I'm a big boy now. This is even more true in the field of fiction, in cinema or in literature, painting delights me, even when it is terrifying. I have to go back a long way, to the time of my early childhood, to remember a truly frightening character, perhaps the Ogre from Charles Perrault's Tom Thumb (1697).
3- The character you would most like to meet?
Of course Captain Haddock, created in 1941 by Hergé (Tintin Collection).
4- The character you would like to reincarnate as (^_^)?
Monsieur Hulot by Jacques Tati, in Mon Oncle (1958) or Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot (1953).
5- The world you would like to live in?
I much prefer the real world, with all its imperfections, its turpitudes and its suffering. If I were forced to live in a world, however wonderful it may be, where everything is necessarily false and scripted, I think I would get bored very quickly, it would become for me the worst of hell, the supreme horror. No, definitely never!
6- The world you wouldn't want to live in?
All without exception (see previous answer).
7- What role would you like to play in a work of fiction?
A role of villain of course, picturesque and whimsical, gruff and generous, excessive and good-natured, knowing how to love as well as to hate, without faith or law, but with a good background... acting as much for the good cause as to defend lost causes, a monster of muscles and beard, adventurous, impetuous and jovial, funny and striking, unpredictable and bluffing, an ideal character, which obviously remains to be invented.
8- Your earliest memory of fiction?
When I was little, my parents had the curious idea of dressing my room with a tapestry created by Joan Miró. I therefore lived a large part of my childhood in contact with the dreamlike universe of the famous Catalan painter. Each abstract element, each colored spot, each “dropping” ironically to its detractors, took on a particular meaning: chimerical character, fabulous animal, angel or demon… My evenings and my nights resonated with this infinite magical menagerie: a poetic universe which undoubtedly contributed to developing my imagination.
9- Your favorite word?
Honor and decorum forbid me from naming them here because they are all bad words.
10- Music you would like to listen to now?
The little music that often hums in my head. It is made of light wind that slips through the foliage, small distant cries, an aquatic hiss that sounds in the distance and a few violin or piano notes falling from the stars. For school teachers, more information on Jacques-Rémy Girerd and the Folimage studio: The Folimage studio, since its creation, in parallel with feature films and television series, has continually produced animated short films intended for young audiences. Since 2005, the studio has published and reissued DVDs and Blu-rays, with a rich film catalog of more than 50 short films. Many films are accompanied by educational tools. If, as parents or school teachers, you are looking for a book, an educational kit, an educational game to accompany a children's film, do not hesitate to consult the Folimage store, a real gold mine for kindergarten teachers. Discover numerous film extracts on the Folimage YouTube channel, but also go behind the scenes of film production with making ofs, interviews and even dialogue recording sessions such as that of Bernadette Lafont for the film "Une vie de Chat" (2008), that of Dany Boon who plays the voice of Migou for the film "Mia et le Migou" (2008). If you have not yet had the opportunity to show your children or students a film from the Folimage studio, we particularly recommend the wonderful short film: L'Enfant au grelot (1998). Duration: 26 min. Director: Jacques-Rémy Girerd Music: Serge Besset. Screenplay: Jacques-Rémy Girerd, Benoît Chieux, Damien Louche-Pélissier. Animation direction: Michael Dudok de Wit.
L'Enfant au grelot (1998)
One winter day, Grand-Jacques, a postman, on his way back from his tour, discovers an abandoned baby in the middle of the forest. This baby, Charlie, seems to attach particular importance to his bell and, as he grows up, he gets into the habit of confiding in it.
A few years later, on Christmas Eve, Charlie accompanies the postman who must bring the children's letters to Santa Claus. But Grand-Jacques breaks his leg and Charlie decides to deliver the letters to Santa Claus himself. Will he discover why his bell was so important to him?
A film full of emotion and poetry. The characters are touching, Charlie's quest for identity is very moving. A must-see animation masterpiece!
Perfect for watching at nursery or primary school before the Christmas holidays.
An DVD containing the film and its making of, original drawings and another 26-minute cartoon (Patate et le jardin potager), an Educational kit of the film and an album edited by Casterman are on sale on the Folimage website.
Duration : 26 min
Director : Jacques-Rémy Girerd
Music : Serge Besset
Scénario : Jacques-Rémy Girerd, Benoît Chieux, Damien Louche-Pélissier
Direction de l'animation : Michael Dudok de Wit