Ernest & Celestine(French:Ernest et Célestine) is a 2012animatedcomedy-drama filmdirected byStéphane Aubier,Vincent PatarandBenjamin Renner.The film is based on a series of children's books of the same name published by the Belgian author and illustratorGabrielle Vincent.The film was selected to be screened in theDirectors' Fortnightsection at the2012 Cannes Film Festival,[4][5]as part of the TIFF Kids programme at the2012 Toronto International Film Festival[6]and at the 2013Hong Kong International Film Festival.[7]
| Ernest & Celestine | |
|---|---|
 US theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Stéphane Aubier Vincent Patar Benjamin Renner |
| Written by | Daniel Pennac |
| Based on | Ernest & Celestine byGabrielle Vincent |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | Lambert Wilson Pauline Brunner |
| Cinematography | Stéphane Aubier Vincent Patar |
| Edited by | Fabienne Alvarez-Giro |
| Music by | Vincent Courtois |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | StudioCanal(France) Cinéart(Belgium) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 80 minutes[1] |
| Countries | Belgium France Luxembourg |
| Language | French |
| Budget | €8.9 million[2] |
| Box office | $8.1 million[3] |
It was selected for the grand competition at feature film edition of the 2013 World festival of animated filmAnimafest Zagreband was screened as the opening film. The film was released in the United States in 2013 byGKIDS.[8]There is also an English dub that was released on 28 February 2014, with the voices ofForest Whitaker,Mackenzie Foy,Lauren Bacall,Paul Giamatti,William H. Macy,Megan Mullally,Nick OffermanandJeffrey Wright.[9]The film received widespread acclaim, and became the first animated film to win theMagritte Award for Best Film.[10]It was nominated forBest Animated Featureat the86th Academy Awards,but it lost toWalt Disney Animation Studios' animated musicalFrozen.[11]
A sequel, entitledErnest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia,was released in France on 14 December 2022.[12]
Plot
editCelestine is a youngmousewho lives in the underground world of rodents. At the orphanage where she lives, the caretaker known as the Gray One tells scary stories about the evil nature of the bears that live in the outside world, though Celestine doubts that they are entirely true. She loves to draw but must soon study dentistry, since that's what all rodents do, and to prepare, she must travel above ground to collect the lost teeth of a cub from underneath pillows. On one such occasion, the bear family catches Celestine in the act and chases her into a trash can where she is trapped and spends the night. The next morning, a destitute and starvinggrizzly bearnamed Ernest discovers Celestine and attempts to eat her. Celestine convinces him to let her go by helping him break into the basement of acandy shop,where he can eat his fill. He is soon caught by the store's owner, however, and arrested. Celestine, who is behind on her quota of collected teeth, agrees to free him from the police wagon if he will help her break into and rob the teeth from the office of the store owner's wife, who happens to be a dentist.
Although the robbery initially seems successful, the pair soon find themselves being pursued by the police forces of both the rodent and bear cities. They manage to evade capture by stealing a van, and escape to Ernest's remote cabin. Ernest is initially reluctant to allow Celestine to stay with him, but they begin to bond after he discovers her love of art. He reveals to her that his current destitution is a result of his rejection of his family's plan for him to go into law, like his ancestors, due to his desire to become an entertainer. The two spend the winter happily together, though their joy is somewhat dampened by the constant radio broadcasts declaring that both police forces are still searching for them as well as how civil unrest has become rampant around both of their homes with the once submissive and complacent poor now rising up against their upper class oppressors.
In the Spring, the police are able to track the stolen van to the cabin. Ernest is arrested by the rodents, while Celestine is arrested by the bears. Both are simultaneously put on trial, in the main floor and basement of the same courthouse. Though each of them protest their unfair treatment along with the government's bias and prejudice, as well as refusing to sell out their respective companion, the furious judges refuse to listen. Ernest and Celestine then call the judges and the rest of the higher class out on their cruelty to the lower class common folk. During the proceedings, a fire is accidentally started in the courthouse, and while the rest of the citizens flee despite the furious judges' demands to stay, Ernest and Celestine each stay behind to rescue their respective judges. The judges are both humiliated and broken that their people, the ones they thought they could always rule, have abandoned them to save their own lives while the ones they sought to wrongfully punish are their saviors. Having truly admitted defeat in their own hearts, the shameful judges drop the charges against them and have no other choice then to grant their wish to be able to remain living together. All the while, the judges express their inability to comprehend the concept of unconditional bonds; and can only watch along with the shaken populace of each place as the courthouses burn to the ground.
Reunited in Ernest's cabin, the pair decide to write and illustrate a book, telling the story of their friendship, though with some embellishments after Celestine protests including the part of their meeting where Ernest attempted to eat her.
Cast
edit| Character | French voice actor |
English dubbing actor[13] |
|---|---|---|
| Ernest | Lambert Wilson | Forest Whitaker |
| Celestine | Pauline Brunner | Mackenzie Foy |
| The Grey One | Anne-Marie Loop | Lauren Bacall |
| The Rat Judge | Pierre Baton | Paul Giamatti |
| The Dentist | Dominique Collignon | William H. Macy |
| Lucienne | Brigitte Virtudes | Megan Mullally |
| Georges | Patrice Melennec | Nick Offerman |
| The Bear Judge | Féodor Atkine | Jeffrey Wright |
| Chief Police of Bears | Vincent Grass | David Boat |
| Antionette | Ashley Earnest |
Critical reception
editErnest & Celestinereceived acclaim from critics. The film review aggregatorRotten Tomatoesreports a 98% approval rating, based on 81 reviews with anaverage scoreof 8.20/10; the general consensus states: "Sweet and visually charming,Ernest & Celestineoffers old-fashioned delights for animation lovers of all ages. "[14]Metacriticassigns a score of 86 based on 22 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[15]Andrew Chan of theFilm Critics Circle of Australiawrites, "The result is a human story of two unlikely allies, a mouse living in harmony and befriending a bear. It is essentially that simple and it works just fine."[16]Writing onRoger Ebert'swebsite,Glenn KennyofMSNawarded the film 3½ stars out of 4, praising it for its positive messages of friendship. Kenny wrote: "Ernest and Celestineis the coziest movie you'll likely see all year. Every frame is suffused with a fireplace kind of warmth that, for me at least, cast an immediate spell that didn't let up. "[17]
Accolades
editIn June 2013, the film won the Award of the Hungarian National Student Jury at the 8thFestival of European Animated Feature Films and TV Specials.[18]
| Awards | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result | |
| Academy Awards[19][20] | Best Animated Feature | Benjamin Renner,Didier Brunner | Nominated | |
| Amsterdam Cinekid Festival[citation needed] | Best Picture | Won | ||
| Annie Awards[21] | Best Animated Feature | Nominated | ||
| Character Animation in an Animated Feature Production | Patrick Imbert | Nominated | ||
| Directing in an Animated Feature Production | Stéphane Aubier,Vincent Patar,Benjamin Renner | Nominated | ||
| Production Design in an Animated Feature Production | Zaza, Zyk | Nominated | ||
| Writing in an Animated Feature Production | Daniel Pennac | Nominated | ||
| Editorial in an Animated Feature Production | Fabienne Alvarez-Giro | Nominated | ||
| Belgian Film Critics Association | Grand Prix | Nominated | ||
| Cannes Film Festival[22] | Art Cinema Award (Directors' Fortnight) | Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner | Nominated | |
| Prix SACD (Directors' Fortnight) | Nominated | |||
| Prix SACD (Directors' Fortnight) - Special Mention | Won | |||
| César Awards[23] | Best Animated Film | Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner, Didier Brunner, Henri Magalon | Won | |
| Dubai International Film Festival | People's Choice Award | Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner | Won | |
| Galway Film Fleadh | Audience Award for Best International Feature | Runner-up | ||
| Gijón International Film Festival[24] | Enfant terriblePrize for Best Feature Film | Nominated | ||
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards[25] | Best Animated Feature | Won | ||
| Magritte Awards[26] | Best Film | Won | ||
| Best Director | Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar | Won | ||
| Best Sound | Frédéric Demolder, Emmanuel de Boissieu, Luc Thomas, Franco Piscopo | Won | ||
| Portland International Film Festival | Audience Award For Best Animated Feature | Stephane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner | Won | |
| Satellite Awards | Satellite Award for Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature | Nominated | ||
| Seattle International Film Festival | Youth Jury Award | Won | ||
| Toronto International Film Festival[6] | People's Choice Award for Best Drama Feature Film | Nominated | ||
TV series
editA television series is adapted from the film,Ernest & Celestine, The Collection,made up of 52 episodes of 13 minutes[27][28]and broadcast onFrance 5on 1 April 2017. Near the end of 2017, a selection of four episodes of the series was released in theatres under the titleErnest & Celestine in Winter.[29]
Sequel
editIn February 2022, StudioCanal announced that a sequel entitledErnest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitiawas in production, to be released on 14 December 2022. The film was directed by Julien Chheng and Jean-Christophe Roger.[12]
References
edit- ^"Ernest et Celestine – Ernest & Celestine".StudioCanal.British Board of Film Classification.27 March 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 6 September 2014.Retrieved28 March2014.
- ^"Ernest & Celestine".jpbox-office.Archivedfrom the original on 26 May 2023.Retrieved9 February2014.
- ^"Ernest & Celestine (2014)".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on 4 October 2024.Retrieved22 January2016.
- ^Leffler, Rebecca (24 April 2012)."Cannes 2012: Michel Gondry's 'The We & The I' to Open Director's Fortnight".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 24 May 2019.Retrieved25 April2012.
- ^"2012 Selection".quinzaine-realisateurs.com.Directors' Fortnight.Archived fromthe originalon 26 April 2012.Retrieved25 April2012.
- ^ab"tiff.net".Archived fromthe originalon 11 February 2013.Retrieved7 September2012.
- ^"HK Neo Reviews".Archivedfrom the original on 14 October 2013.Retrieved25 March2013.
- ^"GKIDS to distribute Ernest & Celestine".Archivedfrom the original on 4 March 2016.Retrieved26 February2013.
- ^Chitwood, Adam (3 February 2014)."Trailer for Best Animated Feature Oscar Nominee ERNEST & CELESTINE".Collider.com.Archivedfrom the original on 30 October 2014.Retrieved29 October2014.
- ^Engelen, Aurore (3 February 2014)."Ernest and Célestine triumphs at the Magritte Awards".Cineuropa.Archivedfrom the original on 21 February 2014.Retrieved3 February2014.
- ^"The 86th Academy Awards (2014) Nominees and Winners".Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.AMPAS.Archivedfrom the original on 14 October 2014.Retrieved12 April2014.
- ^abWelk, Brian (20 February 2022)."'Ernest & Celestine' Sequel Gets First Look From Studiocanal ".TheWrap.Archivedfrom the original on 22 February 2022.Retrieved21 February2022.
- ^"Characters".Ernest & Celestine. Archived fromthe originalon 29 October 2014.Retrieved29 October2014.
- ^"Ernest & Celestine".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango.Archivedfrom the original on 4 October 2024.Retrieved24 October2021.
- ^"Ernest & Célestine".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on 4 October 2024.Retrieved30 March2014.
- ^Chan, Andrew (29 April 2013)."Ernest & Celestine".[HK Neo Reviews].Archivedfrom the original on 14 October 2013.Retrieved25 March2013.
- ^Kenny, Glenn (14 March 2014)."Ernest & Celestine".RogerEbert.com.Archivedfrom the original on 19 March 2014.Retrieved30 March2014.
- ^11. Kecskeméti Animációs Filmfesztivál 8. Európai Animációs Játékfilm FesztiválArchived30 December 2017 at theWayback Machine.Kecskeméti Animáció Film Fesztivál. 2013.
- ^Staff (16 January 2014)."2013 Academy Awards Nominations and Winners by Category".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on 28 February 2014.Retrieved16 January2014.
- ^Koch, Dave (16 January 2014)."Animated Film Oscar Nominations".Big Cartoon News. Archived fromthe originalon 16 January 2014.Retrieved16 January2014.
- ^"Complete list of 2013 Annie Award nominees for animation".Los Angeles Times.2 December 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 4 February 2014.Retrieved3 December2013.
- ^"Palmarès et nominations du Festival de Cannes".Allo Ciné(in French). AlloCiné.fr.Archivedfrom the original on 6 November 2014.Retrieved16 January2014.
- ^Amidi, Amid (23 February 2013)."Ernest & Célestine wins the Cesar Awards".Cartoon Brew.Cartoon Brew.Archivedfrom the original on 16 January 2014.Retrieved16 January2014.
- ^"La animación coge fuerza en el FICX".Gijón Film Festival(in Spanish). 5 November 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 16 January 2014.Retrieved16 January2014.
- ^""Ernest & Célestine" wins LAFCA award ".Wallonia.Wallonia.be.Archivedfrom the original on 28 December 2013.Retrieved16 January2014.
- ^"Prix et nominations: Les Magritte du cinéma 2014".Allo Ciné(in French). AlloCiné.fr.Archivedfrom the original on 16 January 2014.Retrieved16 January2014.
- ^"Annecy 2019 - France Télévisions entre deux rives".Le Film Français(in French).Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2024.Retrieved13 January2024.
- ^Ernest et Célestine - Saison 1 (Valisette métal) - DVD(in French), Aventures Intérieures,archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2024,retrieved13 January2024
- ^"littlekmbo".littlekmbo(in French). Archived fromthe originalon 18 November 2017.Retrieved13 January2024.
