BELLE ET SÉBASTIEN | BLU RAY REVIEW & GIVEAWAY
Great news peeps – one of my favourite movies for the year, BELLE ET SEBASTIEN is releasing onto Blu Ray, DVD and Digital from December 10th. This is the ultimate in family films although it does have subs – perhaps a perfect way to introduce a child to art house and foreign films or screw the kids, love it for yourself. The best news about the release is that our friends at ICON HOME ENTERTAINMENT have given us three copies on Blu Ray to giveaway – this is an amazing prize – I will be having one sitting in my cabinet ASAP for multiple viewings. Revisit my review and enter away at the bottom. Good luck!!
ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM JUNE 2014
BELLE ET SÉBASTIEN was my favourite film of the year up until a few days ago when I saw BOYHOOD, so far this year it will have to settle for the number 2 position, still a highly coveted position. I have not seen such a beautiful and light film that was also powerful and heartwarming. As soon as I received the invite to attend this film I knew I would like it. French alps, big fluffy dog, cute kid incapable of melting butter in his mouth, loving people, tale of danger and heartbreak. SOLD. It is like Lassie meets The Sound of Music without singing :). BELLE ET SÉBASTIEN, also known as Belle and Sebastian (not to be confused with the band, although the band did name themselves after the story) is releasing from ICON MOVIES for preview screenings from June 15th followed by official release on July 3rd. It is ONLY playing on limited release at selected art house cinemas – definitely playing at Dendy. It is rated PG and runs for 98mins.

REVIEW BY JASON KING
BELLE ET SÉBASTIEN aka BELLE AND SEBASTIAN has been around for a very long time. It originated in 1965 as a book by Cécile Aubry, about a young 6yr old boy and his dog, Belle, a Pyrenean Mountain Dog, who live in a village in the French Alps close to the frontier with Italy. Sébastien lives with his adopted grandfather, sister, and brother, as his mother, a Romany, died after giving birth to him while trying to cross the border on Saint Sebastian‘s day.
The same year the book came out they launched a television show of the same name that lasted for 5yrs, all filmed in black and white, the English picked it up and dubbed it and retitled into the English of BELLE AND SEBASTIAN. It should be noted the movie is releasing under this title in Australia but in honour of the work I am maintaining the original name of the film, novel and TV series. The TV series spawned offshoots on its success, SEBASTIAN AMONG MEN and SEBASTIAN AND THE MARY MORGAN and in 1981 the Japanese released it as an anime series called MEIKEN JOLIE, the Japanese titling of BELLE AND SEBASTIAN. This ran for 52 episodes and was broadcast in Japan, France and the US (from 1984). The UK started playing it 1989 and then again in 1991. It appears when the people need them Belle et Sébastian will return (friends of The Dark Knight no doubt) and returned they have in the most epic and largest budget version of this beautiful tale.

BELLE ET SÉBASTIEN is indeed about a young boy who is seven years old. It is set in the French alps and the scenery is unmatched, it is just flawless, the film takes us back to a different point in time, namely nearing the end of World War 2. Germans have a regular military presence in the small town but this is a different part of WWII, these mountain folk are quite resilient and live through very harsh seasons and on the land, the films representation of WWII is more the mild SOUND OF MUSIC version we would be used to as opposed to the SCHINDLER’S LIST version that was more reality. A group of the townsfolk are sneaking Jewish people over the mountains into Switzerland and the Germans are there to try and find and stop them, but the townsfolk get information from someone on the German side. The military presence is not of much concern to Sébastien, he is a young child and the film is seen through his eyes, eyes that comprehend right and wrong, positive and negative and this is all that drives him when he defends Belle, the wild dog, who the villagers have named “The Beast” as they believe he is eating all the sheep.
He is a mistreated huge dog who is fending for himself in this harsh environment and is a little unsure of correct life etiquette, when him and Sébastien first meet they are both unsure and scared of each other, but all it takes is an act of kindness from each other and these two become an inseparable force of love and family. A bond evermore stronger because of both their needs to have a family, a person to belong to and love unconditionally.

Nicolas Vanier’s direction is a blend of three television series of the story into one movie with a concentration on the WWII inclusion. His documentaries are brilliant works of art mainly about animals and it is pretty evident he was asked to make this film from his work on a documentary called LOUP, a young boy protecting reindeer from wolves. It was also set in freezing remote conditions and this skill of working with animals, extreme conditions and children would be a definite shoe-in for being selected as director for BELLE ET SÉBASTIEN. He also grew up watching the TV show and his addiction to the show from a young age gave him the drive to remain faithful to the story.
Vanier’s collaboration with French cinematographer Eric Guichard and French composer Armand Amar was a superb teaming. Guichard is also used to filming in remote locations having filmed HIMALAYA back in 1999 (along with a huge list of credits) and his way of capturing the village life, the remote location and cleanness of the environment was beautiful to view. And how anyone can pull off a film with young children and a huge mountain dog in this environment is deserving of awards. Armand Amar’s composing is just beautiful and truly heartwarming, it really is music straight from a GHIBLI film. After the trailer at the bottom I have included a YouTube clip of the music from the film with accompanying stills.

Félix Bossuet is possibly the cutest child to ever be onscreen. he could basically be a serial killer and smile to camera and you would help him bury the bodies. It must have been a gruelling shoot for him having filmed over nine months. Bossuet was selected from over 2400 applicants and 200 auditions. He will not win awards for his acting, and there are a couple of scenes that are saved by his cuteness, but he definitely holds the camera and carries the film on his shoulders. There are a few scenes that are just him and Sébastien mucking around, chasing each other and playing and in those scenes you hear the laughter of a child in childhood playing bliss, those few scenes are worth the price of the ticket alone. That sound is what is good about this human race of ours and our stupidity and badness. Those moments of untainted innocence are what the world is worth fighting for.
Bossuet has a big name as his opposite onscreen, his uncle César is played by long time actor Tchéky Karyo who is a Turkish man raised and considered French and in France he is huge, but he is also well known in Hollywood, playing the bad guy in BAD BOYS, then in THE PATRIOT, KISS OF THE DRAGON, JOAN OF ARC, THE WAY and many more. Karyo’s César is the acting strength onscreen and the drunken character’s arc of redemption is a bonus to the story. He and Bossuet have great onscreen chemistry and you can see they really got along. In an interview Karyo claimed he loved to work with children and animals because “the rapport is all about instinct and spontaneity and listening and trust.”

My first thoughts after seeing this film is how it was like a GHIBLI film come to life, a film of innocence and beauty with an undercurrent of WWII darkness and malevolance that could erupt at any moment. But to Sébastien he has more to worry about, the life and love of a dog are all that matters. His universe is much smaller than the world around. Just as Ghibli would have done it.
The cinematography of this film demands a cinema screen and the film will not play for long, will barely get any advertising and sadly, none of the big cinema chains will screen it, because like what, it has subtitles and no superheroes in it. I urge you to see this film, enjoy an unhindered film that allows you to feel young again.
With special thanks to Icon Home Entertainment to win one the 3X BLU RAYS of BELLE & SEBASTIAN you need to either like and share/ retweet this post on Facebook/Twitter/ Google+/ Pinterest/ LinkedIn/ Flipboard or Instagram (all the links to follow us are on the top right of homepage), you then need to leave a comment below stating the answer/s to the following questions:
What is the best children’s movie you have ever seen and why?
If you do not have social media then get with the times – you can still enter, leave your entry below and email me at jking@saltypopcorn.com.au telling me you don’t have social media (you still need to enter on the website).
Prizes will no longer be awarded to first in first served. It will now be a game of skill and selected purely on the thoughts of the judges, said judges being the Salty Kernels.
The prizes will be sent after in the next couple of weeks. Good luck! Oh, and minor housekeeping – huge apologies for overseas readers, this competition is only available to Australian residents.
MOVIE TRAILER:
EXCERPTS FROM THE SOUNDTRACK BY ARMAND AMAR WITH MOVIE STILLS:
I cried just watching the preview. What will I be like when I see the movie. Looks amazing. Thank you for the write up. K@thelair
You will love this one K – you have the luck on your side – you will be able to see it on the big TV at my house when I get the Blu Ray, unless it makes it down the South Coast, which, at this stage, it does not, the best you could do is hit it up at one of the Canberra cinemas if you get down there while it is out.
Being a huge studio Ghibli fan, I really liked this movie. Everything in it reminded me of Studio Ghibli: The story, the atmosphere, the music… It’s a shame that in the end, the random folk will see this movie as a random kids movie.
Oh amazing – so glad we saw the same film Mikael – I truly thought it was incredibly Ghibli and want the world to love this film – already pre-ordered it on Blu Ray and am taking my mum to see it when it releases 🙂 Thanks for leaving a comment!
To my great amazement, this gorgeous film was screened at the Birch Carroll and Coyle cinema in Cairns! I caught its final screening today and had the entire cinema to myself…Sad as always that these worthy films don’t get a much larger audience, but also must admit to enjoying the quiet solitary screening immensely.
So happy you got to enjoy it Sue, truly spectacular film – definitely one of my top 5 films of the year.
Massive fan of Jeunet’s City of Lost Children. Pretty sure that’s meant to be a children’s film. Amazing design, so very dark and beautiful. Must have watched this a hundred times over the years.
My teenage son and I still enjoy watching the Italian version of ‘Pinocchio’ starring the energetic force of nature Roberto Benigni! Critics hated this – but we loved the characters and most of all Roberto’s entertaining wooden puppet and the beautiful, colourful imagery. Walt Disney’s ‘Pinocchio’ was the first childrens movie I has ever watched on the big screen as a child, so maybe I’m biased. I love that the story encourages children not to lie or their nose will grow longer – I’m sure parents today still warn their children of that.
I absolutely love Hayao Miyazaki’s films, especially ‘Ponyo’ because of the storyline of a little boy, who helps a goldfish, which turns into a girl! Their friendship is a great bonding experience.
Having an eight year old daughter, I’ve seen a lot of children’s movies. One that we both love is Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo. I basically love all Ghibli films, but Ponyo wins out for its beautiful aquatic setting. And Cate Blanchett in the English version. My sister-in-law is Japanese and she, my brother-in-law and niece live in Japan so it kind of feels like I’m watching family when I watch Ghibli films. But happy to expand Miss Eight’s international viewing family and take in BELLE ET SÉBASTIEN. I’m sure Miss Eight and her fur sibling would be more than happy to watch. The fur sibling is part basenji so she really does watch TV!
I believe the best children’s story to be the recent hit Life of Pi, which uses CGI motion capture to bring various animals, and most memorably a fully breathing Bengal tiger, to astonishing reality. The groundbreaking 3D accompanied with the CGI enhance this aesthetic marvel, rather than bereave it from plot (I’m looking at Michael Bay’s Transformers). Yann Martel’s novel is told in a disjointed, non linear fashion, making it hard to develop the lyrical quality of a book into the coherent nature of a film. In addition, the scenes of the ship sinking, and all of the other adventures at sea, as well as the inclusion of a BENGAL TIGER, guarantee a mega budget – something not easy to get for a film as decidedly uncommercial as this. But Ang Lee proved why he is an Academy Award winner by achieving the impossible; he both won over critics, and blitzed the global box office thanks to golden word of mouth as well as picking up a plethora of accolades. In short, it was an astonishing cinematic experience.
honestly i love charlotte’s web because i loved the book as a kid
I’m a big Ice Age fan, I haven’t met a child that didn’t love this movie.
walt disney lady and the tramp what a love story learned a new way to eat spaghetti doggy style also turned a lot of people off the breed of cat siamese the baddies of the movie
What a beautiful looking movie. My seven year old dog-loving son would love this, although not sure I want him to get the idea he should be allowed to roam the mountains near here by himself all day!! Disappointed that I missed a local cinema screening, I remember assuming it wouldn’t get a local release here.
Another Studio Ghibli fan here. A favourite children’s movie is Spirited Away. I agree, from watching the preview, this movie seems very Ghibli-esque. Absolute favourite children’s movie would have to be the Wizard of Oz, though, for its timelessness and those ruby slippers!!
I have so many favourite movies and most of them are kids films!
I love Ponyo and My Neighbour Totoro, I love Frozen, I love The Princess Bride, I love The Never Ending Story – the list goes on!!
I can’t pick a favourite but I will tell you why My Neighbour Totoro is up there – it is a film my entire family loves from Master 2 up to Mr 36. It is visually stunning film and it has such a simple but beautiful score. I love the close knit family, the sisterly bond and how much the father loves his little girls. I love the Catbus! And I love the soot sprites – it makes my house seem less dirty and more magical. 🙂
Frozen – totally kiccks ‘Ice’!
Monsters Inc…. for me it was the first real animation that really appealed to adults and children alike… great one liners, animation which was crisp and defined, cuddly friendly monsters, scary baddies – a great movie for the whole family to enjoy as one
If I had to pick just one, it would be Alice in Wonderland (the 50’s version). I love this film and it will forever be my favourite childrens film. I can relate to Alice and her desire to escape to a wonderland of nonsense, but this movie delivers an important message about how you need a little bit of serious and nonsense. All serious or all nonsense is never tolerable.
Good to see a lot of love for Studio Ghibli films here. Spirited Away takes the cake for me, close to my all-time favourite movie as well.
However I would have to go with Stand By Me. It’s a more mature movie dealing with much more serious matters than other children’s movies but it is simply superb. I’m not sure if it really is a children’s movie but it’s one that I watched when I was younger. The really strong performances from the child actor, especially the late River Phoenix amazes me as they deal with matters beyond their years.
Oh I love this movie – I got an extra copy for me – this will be my sick and feeling sorry for myself movie – the winners are drawn and very interested in knowing your thoughts after you see it.
Gratz to…………
Judith Maunders
Regan S
Peta N
Gratz peeps and thanks to all who entered – sorry you could not all win something 🙂
Thank you for this. My daughter (eight) and I watched it just before Christmas. At first it was difficult to get her to watch because … it isn’t animated! Eek, scary but true! She was watching something on the iPad, so I put it on the TV and soon she couldn’t help but watch. She’s watched it twice now and loves it. Even our dog was drawn into watching. She had to tell those wolves what for and try and find where Belle ran off to (behind the screen?) – oh how lovely it would be for a suburban dog to have mountains like that upon which to run! Many thanks again!
Oh amazing Judith – thanks for sharing this – it makes it all worthwhile – such a beautiful film and I am so glad others enjoy it – even their dogs 🙂
[…] year BELLE & SEBASTIAN (the first one) made my top ten movies of the year. It was an old school movie that harks to films […]