Aton Soumache, producer of Mark Osborne’s global hit The Little Prince, talks about bringing the French classic to the big screen and his ambitions for Paris-based mini-major On Entertainment.
Producers Aton Soumache and Dimitri Rassam of On Entertainment received Unifrance’s French Cinema Award at its annual Rendez-vous in Paris over the weekend in recognition of the global success of their recent production, Mark Osborne’s The Little Prince.
The $57m production has drawn more than 15 million spectators worldwide since its release last July, making it the most successful French-produced feature-length animation of all time, and has still to hit screens in the Us, where Paramount Pictures has set a March 18 launch. UK and Canada releases are due around the same time.
When Soumache and Rassam first approached Osborne about directing an animation adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic novella, the Kung Fu Panda director turned them down. The pair had...
Producers Aton Soumache and Dimitri Rassam of On Entertainment received Unifrance’s French Cinema Award at its annual Rendez-vous in Paris over the weekend in recognition of the global success of their recent production, Mark Osborne’s The Little Prince.
The $57m production has drawn more than 15 million spectators worldwide since its release last July, making it the most successful French-produced feature-length animation of all time, and has still to hit screens in the Us, where Paramount Pictures has set a March 18 launch. UK and Canada releases are due around the same time.
When Soumache and Rassam first approached Osborne about directing an animation adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic novella, the Kung Fu Panda director turned them down. The pair had...
- 1/20/2016
- ScreenDaily
Ernest & Celestine -- a contender for this year's best animated film Oscar -- is pure delight.
The film's gorgeous, hand-drawn animation is as lovingly detailed as the drawings a girl mouse named Celestine is secretly making about an imaginary mouse and bear friendship. Such a thing is anathema in the bear-hating mouse world, which exists directly below a French city populated by mouse-fearing bears (who live like humans).
One night, Celestine ventures above ground and helps a very hungry bear named Ernest break into a candy shop, an act of generosity that sparks a friendship more wonderful than any Celestine could have imagined. In adapting Gabrielle Vincent's children's book series (huge in Europe), screenwriter Daniel Pennac and first-time director Benjamin R...
The film's gorgeous, hand-drawn animation is as lovingly detailed as the drawings a girl mouse named Celestine is secretly making about an imaginary mouse and bear friendship. Such a thing is anathema in the bear-hating mouse world, which exists directly below a French city populated by mouse-fearing bears (who live like humans).
One night, Celestine ventures above ground and helps a very hungry bear named Ernest break into a candy shop, an act of generosity that sparks a friendship more wonderful than any Celestine could have imagined. In adapting Gabrielle Vincent's children's book series (huge in Europe), screenwriter Daniel Pennac and first-time director Benjamin R...
- 3/12/2014
- Village Voice
Might be the most ridiculously cute movie I’ve ever seen, in a way that transforms adorableness into something honest and wise and deeply satisfying. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
I have not read the source material
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
This might be the most ridiculously cute movie I’ve ever seen. Not cute in a schmalty, sappy, insipid way, but in a way that transforms adorableness into something honest and wise and deeply satisfying, like how the best children’s picture books do. (Indeed, this is based on the series of books by Gabrielle Vincent.) An ineffable sweetness arises as if by accident from this simple story of a mouse, Celestine (the voice of Pauline Brunner), and a bear, Ernest (the voice of Lambert Wilson: Flawless), who overcome the “natural” animosity between their kind to...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
I have not read the source material
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
This might be the most ridiculously cute movie I’ve ever seen. Not cute in a schmalty, sappy, insipid way, but in a way that transforms adorableness into something honest and wise and deeply satisfying, like how the best children’s picture books do. (Indeed, this is based on the series of books by Gabrielle Vincent.) An ineffable sweetness arises as if by accident from this simple story of a mouse, Celestine (the voice of Pauline Brunner), and a bear, Ernest (the voice of Lambert Wilson: Flawless), who overcome the “natural” animosity between their kind to...
- 2/26/2014
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Ernest & Celestine
Written by Daniel Pennac
Directed by Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar and Benjamin Renner
France, 2012
Based on Belgian author Gabrielle Vincent’s children’s books, Ernest & Celestine is an infectiously joyous piece of entertainment from the duo behind the manic A Town Called Panic, who direct here alongside Benjamin Renner. That earlier film’s stop-motion approach is abandoned for a more traditional hand-drawn animation style, presented in a beautiful, gentle watercolour palette. Ernest & Celestine is also not quite so anarchic in its humour, though one struggles to think of what film could match A Town Called Panic for that, but shares its predecessor’s wittiness regarding heated exchanges and heightened characters prone to snap decision-making.
In the film’s fictional universe, bears and mice live in parallel worlds. The bears live above ground, operating businesses and such, while the mice live below the surface in a metropolis within the sewers.
Written by Daniel Pennac
Directed by Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar and Benjamin Renner
France, 2012
Based on Belgian author Gabrielle Vincent’s children’s books, Ernest & Celestine is an infectiously joyous piece of entertainment from the duo behind the manic A Town Called Panic, who direct here alongside Benjamin Renner. That earlier film’s stop-motion approach is abandoned for a more traditional hand-drawn animation style, presented in a beautiful, gentle watercolour palette. Ernest & Celestine is also not quite so anarchic in its humour, though one struggles to think of what film could match A Town Called Panic for that, but shares its predecessor’s wittiness regarding heated exchanges and heightened characters prone to snap decision-making.
In the film’s fictional universe, bears and mice live in parallel worlds. The bears live above ground, operating businesses and such, while the mice live below the surface in a metropolis within the sewers.
- 12/9/2013
- by Josh Slater-Williams
- SoundOnSight
The Sundance Institute has released the movie line-up for their Spotlight, Midnight and Sundance Kids selections for The Sundance Film Festival 2014. The Midnight selection has always been my favorite because its always packed with really crazy, fun, and messed up films. It looks like another great collection of films this next year! They include films such as Cooties with Elijah Wood, Dead Snow: Red vs. Dead and more. Sundance Kids is a new addition this year which, if you couldn't tell, is meant for younger audiences.
The Festival takes place January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance, Utah, and we will be there to cover as many of the films as humanly possible. Director of Programming, Trevor Groth, had this to say in a statement.
“The films in the sections announced today round out our 2014 Sundance Film Festival program and further reflect the depth and...
The Festival takes place January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance, Utah, and we will be there to cover as many of the films as humanly possible. Director of Programming, Trevor Groth, had this to say in a statement.
“The films in the sections announced today round out our 2014 Sundance Film Festival program and further reflect the depth and...
- 12/8/2013
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
When Sundance announced the films in competition for the 2014 festival yesterday, its organizers noted that they were impressed by the caliber of cinematic artistry — mostly due to technology — that freed up filmmakers to experiment with different genres. No category of the festival is more rooted in genre than Park City at Midnight, the late-night section that specializes in horror and the supernatural, and this year’s slate has several potential breakouts. “The Midnight lineup came together in a way that is about the strongest group we’ve ever had, top to bottom,” says Trevor Groth, Sundance’s director of programming.
- 12/5/2013
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
Here are the two films playing in the Sundance Kids section.Ernest and Celestine / France, Belgium, Luxembourg (Directors: Benjamin Renner, Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Screenwriter: Daniel Pennac) — Unlike her fellow mice, Celestine is an artist and a dreamer. When she nearly ends up as breakfast for a bear named Ernest, the two form an unlikely bond that is quickly challenged by their respective communities. Cast: Forest Whitaker, Mackenzie Foy, Lauren Bacall, Paul Giamatti, William H. Macy, Nick Offerman. World Premiere (English version) Zip and Zap and the Marble Gang / Spain (Director: Oskar Santos, Screenwriters: Francisco Roncal, Jorge Lara, Oskar Santos) — Zip and Zap are punished by being sent to a re-education center. Guided by intelligence, they uncover a mysterious secret hidden deep within the school and end up having the most exciting adventure of their lives. Cast: Javier Gutiérrez, Daniel Cerezo, Raúl Rivas, Claudia Vega, Marcos Ruiz, Fran García. U.
- 12/5/2013
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
Nominations for the 41st Annual Annie Awards were announced and "Frozen" and "Monsters University" led the pack with 10 nominations each. "Despicable Me 2" and "The Croods" followed closely with 9 noms each.
I am rooting for "Frozen" to win! It's a return to form to what Disney does best -- affecting fairy tale with memorable musical numbers. "Monsters University," on the other hand, was bland. The film bored me on second viewing.
Steven Spielberg will receive the Winsor McCay Award for career achievement at the awards ceremony happening on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. Patrick Warburton will serve as host.
2013 Annie Award Nominations
Production Categories
1 . Best Animated Feature
A Letter to Momo . Gkids
Despicable Me 2 . Universal Pictures
Ernest & Celestine . Gkids
Frozen . Walt Disney Animation Studios
Monsters University . Pixar Animation Studios
The Croods . DreamWorks Animation
The Wind Rises . The Walt Disney Studios
2 . Annie Award for Best Animated...
I am rooting for "Frozen" to win! It's a return to form to what Disney does best -- affecting fairy tale with memorable musical numbers. "Monsters University," on the other hand, was bland. The film bored me on second viewing.
Steven Spielberg will receive the Winsor McCay Award for career achievement at the awards ceremony happening on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. Patrick Warburton will serve as host.
2013 Annie Award Nominations
Production Categories
1 . Best Animated Feature
A Letter to Momo . Gkids
Despicable Me 2 . Universal Pictures
Ernest & Celestine . Gkids
Frozen . Walt Disney Animation Studios
Monsters University . Pixar Animation Studios
The Croods . DreamWorks Animation
The Wind Rises . The Walt Disney Studios
2 . Annie Award for Best Animated...
- 12/3/2013
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Watch: Trailer For ‘The Scapegoat’ Starring Bérénice Bejo & Emir Kusturica, Plus New Poster & Images
Last year’s it-girl, Bérénice Bejo of “The Artist” fame, has been out of the spotlight for some time, but now returns with her first starring role since her Oscar-nominated success in “Au Bonheurs Des Ogres,” or “The Scapegoat,” an adaptation of the classic French novel by Daniel Pennac. A new trailer has just arrived advertising the film’s April release in France. And while we wait to see if U.S. moviegoers will see “The Scapegoat” in theatres, they should take a minute to watch the French-language trailer, which comes complete with all of the characteristic delight of French cinema. Directed by Nicholas Bary, the film tells the story of a quality controller named Benjamin (Raphaël Personnaz) working in a Paris department store who finds himself the prime suspect after a series of bombings claim the lives of shoppers. Bejo plays an investigative journalist who starts seeing Benjamin, while director.
- 2/12/2013
- by Tess Hofmann
- The Playlist
Ernest & Celestine
Written by Daniel Pennac
Directed by Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar and Benjamin Renner
France, 2012
Based on Belgian author Gabrielle Vincent’s children’s books, Ernest & Celestine is an infectiously joyous piece of entertainment from the duo behind the manic A Town Called Panic, who direct here alongside Benjamin Renner. That earlier film’s stop-motion approach is abandoned for a more traditional hand-drawn animation style, presented in a beautiful, gentle watercolour palette. Ernest & Celestine is also not quite so anarchic in its humour, though one struggles to think of what film could match A Town Called Panic for that, but shares its predecessor’s wittiness regarding heated exchanges and heightened characters prone to snap decision-making.
In the film’s fictional universe, bears and mice live in parallel worlds. The bears live above ground, operating businesses and such, while the mice live below the surface in a metropolis within the sewers.
Written by Daniel Pennac
Directed by Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar and Benjamin Renner
France, 2012
Based on Belgian author Gabrielle Vincent’s children’s books, Ernest & Celestine is an infectiously joyous piece of entertainment from the duo behind the manic A Town Called Panic, who direct here alongside Benjamin Renner. That earlier film’s stop-motion approach is abandoned for a more traditional hand-drawn animation style, presented in a beautiful, gentle watercolour palette. Ernest & Celestine is also not quite so anarchic in its humour, though one struggles to think of what film could match A Town Called Panic for that, but shares its predecessor’s wittiness regarding heated exchanges and heightened characters prone to snap decision-making.
In the film’s fictional universe, bears and mice live in parallel worlds. The bears live above ground, operating businesses and such, while the mice live below the surface in a metropolis within the sewers.
- 11/29/2012
- by Josh Slater-Williams
- SoundOnSight
The Scapegoat – or, Au bonheur des ogres, in the original French – adapts the first novel of the same name in Daniel Pennac’s popular ‘La Saga Malaussène’ series, making it a very promising crime-comedy to look forward to next year.
The first three posters for the French-language film have made their way online, giving us a look at leading man, Raphaël Personnaz as the series’ eponymous Benjamin Malaussène.
Starring alongside him will be the lovely Bérénice Bejo, the Oscar-nominated star of last year’s success story, The Artist, as well as Emir Kusturica, Thierry Neuvic, Guillaume de Tonquedec, and Mélanie Bernier.
“There is something strange and fishy – some would even say abnormal – about the Malaussène tribe. But if you take a closer look, no one could be happier than this cheerfully chaotic family, even though their mother is usually off on one romantic junket or other, leaving behind a slew...
The first three posters for the French-language film have made their way online, giving us a look at leading man, Raphaël Personnaz as the series’ eponymous Benjamin Malaussène.
Starring alongside him will be the lovely Bérénice Bejo, the Oscar-nominated star of last year’s success story, The Artist, as well as Emir Kusturica, Thierry Neuvic, Guillaume de Tonquedec, and Mélanie Bernier.
“There is something strange and fishy – some would even say abnormal – about the Malaussène tribe. But if you take a closer look, no one could be happier than this cheerfully chaotic family, even though their mother is usually off on one romantic junket or other, leaving behind a slew...
- 7/9/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Peter Kubelka's Schwechater (1958)
Filmmaker Paul Clipson, profiled last month on the occasion of his winning a Goldie from the Bay Guardian, presents Commodified Cinema: Art, Advertising, and Commodities in Film today at noon at Sfmoma. Brecht Andersch: "Clipson is on to something here: from its inception, cinema has been seen by hoity toities as the commodified form par excellence, a cultural equivalent to advertising. As time rolls on, the bitter ironies of these notions become painfully evident: due to their relative fragility as art objects when run through a projector, celluloid artworks have never worked as collectible items of envy, and the on-going currency of critique in contemporary art has rendered much of it advertising for shallow, if politically correct ideology. In recent years, the ascendency of digital moving image technologies in all their many forms has been embraced by those with un- or semi-conscious resentment towards the photochemical...
Filmmaker Paul Clipson, profiled last month on the occasion of his winning a Goldie from the Bay Guardian, presents Commodified Cinema: Art, Advertising, and Commodities in Film today at noon at Sfmoma. Brecht Andersch: "Clipson is on to something here: from its inception, cinema has been seen by hoity toities as the commodified form par excellence, a cultural equivalent to advertising. As time rolls on, the bitter ironies of these notions become painfully evident: due to their relative fragility as art objects when run through a projector, celluloid artworks have never worked as collectible items of envy, and the on-going currency of critique in contemporary art has rendered much of it advertising for shallow, if politically correct ideology. In recent years, the ascendency of digital moving image technologies in all their many forms has been embraced by those with un- or semi-conscious resentment towards the photochemical...
- 12/8/2011
- MUBI
Hot off her success in the sleeper hit "The Artist," Bérénice Bejo has landed a coveted role in "The Scapegoat," Nicolas Bary's upcoming adaptation of Daniel Pennac's best-selling French novel, "Au Bonheur des Ogres." The brunette beauty will star alongside Raphaël Personnaz and Emir Kusturica, Indie Wire reports.
Bejo will play an investigative journalist who also happens to be the girlfriend of the story's protagonist, Benjamin Malaussène (Personnaz), a "professional scapegoat" who works as a quality controller in a Paris department store, taking the blame for customer complaints. (Sounds like a not-so-fun job to us, but what do we know?)
This particular story—which is part of a five book series centered around the chaotic life of the Malaussène clan living in Paris—follows Benjamin as he becomes the prime suspect when a bomb goes off in the toy department of his store.
He presumably enlists the help of his better half,...
Bejo will play an investigative journalist who also happens to be the girlfriend of the story's protagonist, Benjamin Malaussène (Personnaz), a "professional scapegoat" who works as a quality controller in a Paris department store, taking the blame for customer complaints. (Sounds like a not-so-fun job to us, but what do we know?)
This particular story—which is part of a five book series centered around the chaotic life of the Malaussène clan living in Paris—follows Benjamin as he becomes the prime suspect when a bomb goes off in the toy department of his store.
He presumably enlists the help of his better half,...
- 12/6/2011
- by Elizabeth Durand
- NextMovie
Bérénice Bejo has landed a role in the UK's "The Scapegoat," based on Daniel Pennac's French novel, "Au Bonheur des Ogres." Raphaël Personnaz and Emir Kusturica will costar. Rising French director Nicolas Bary will direct, with Bejo playing an investigative journalist dating a professional scapegoat who works in a Paris department store and takes blame for customer complaints. When a bomb goes off in the toy department, he must clear his name. ThePlaylist has more. Early details are arising via TMZ that Sofia Coppola is developing a project about Hollywood's Burglar Bunch, the infamous group that stole from celebrities. No script...
- 12/6/2011
- Thompson on Hollywood
Berenice Bejo, Raphael Personnaz and Emir Kusturica are all set to star in an upcoming adaptation of Daniel Pennac‘s French comic novel The Scapegoat. As much as I’m surprised with Kusturica’s involvement in the whole thing, I must admit that Bejo, The Artist star, definitely looks like an awesome choice! Nicolas Bary (responsible for Les [...]
Continue reading Emir Kusturica and Berenice Bejo In The Scapegoat on FilmoFilia.
Related posts:Emir Kusturica President Of Un Certain Regard Cannes 2011 Matthew Rhys and Eileen Atkins To Star in The Scapegoat Emir Kusturica’s New Film Devoted to Fyodor Dostoyevsky...
Continue reading Emir Kusturica and Berenice Bejo In The Scapegoat on FilmoFilia.
Related posts:Emir Kusturica President Of Un Certain Regard Cannes 2011 Matthew Rhys and Eileen Atkins To Star in The Scapegoat Emir Kusturica’s New Film Devoted to Fyodor Dostoyevsky...
- 12/6/2011
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
Bérénice Bejo ("The Artist") has joined the cast of the Nicolas Bary-directed adaptation of French writer Daniel Pennac’s 1985 novel "The Scapegoat" for Chapter 2 and Pathé reports Screen Daily.
'Scapegoat' is the first of a book series and deals with Benjamin Malaussène (Raphaël Personnaz), a quality controller in a Paris department store who is skilled at taking the blame for customer complaints.
When a bomb goes off in the toy department, he is a key suspect and he starts investigating the crime to clear his name. Bejo will play his investigative journalist girlfriend who is not afraid to break the rules.
Over five million copies of the book series have been sold in France. Dimitri Rassam will produce the €11.8 million production which also stars Emir Kusturica as Benjamin's Serbian-Croatian petty criminal uncle.
Shooting is scheduled to start mid-February with an 11 week shoot in Paris and at the Delux Studios in Luxembourg.
'Scapegoat' is the first of a book series and deals with Benjamin Malaussène (Raphaël Personnaz), a quality controller in a Paris department store who is skilled at taking the blame for customer complaints.
When a bomb goes off in the toy department, he is a key suspect and he starts investigating the crime to clear his name. Bejo will play his investigative journalist girlfriend who is not afraid to break the rules.
Over five million copies of the book series have been sold in France. Dimitri Rassam will produce the €11.8 million production which also stars Emir Kusturica as Benjamin's Serbian-Croatian petty criminal uncle.
Shooting is scheduled to start mid-February with an 11 week shoot in Paris and at the Delux Studios in Luxembourg.
- 12/5/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
No matter how they'll fare during the upcoming award season, it was really only a matter of time before we heard a lot more from "The Artist" stars Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo. Their demand is sure to shoot through the roof and, now, it looks like Bejo is already plotting her upcoming schedule, scoring a role in an adaptation of Daniel Pennac's classic French novel "The Scapegoat (Au Bonheur des Ogres)" co-starring Raphaël Personnaz and Emir Kusturica. In the Nicolas Bary film, Bejo will play an investigative journalist who is also the girlfriend of the story's protagonist, Benjamin Malaussène, a “professional scapegoat” played by Personnaz, who works as a quality controller in a Paris department store, taking the blame for customer complaints. This particular novel -- which is part of a five book trilogy about the chaotic Malaussène clan living in Paris’ bohemian...
- 12/5/2011
- The Playlist
Just today I was recommending the incomparably wonderful animated film A Town Called Panic to a friend, which it occurred to me to wonder: what progress has been made on the project the makers of that film (Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar) are cooking up now? They're making a new film, Ernest and Celestine (co-directed by Benjamin Renner), and as it turns out there is actually a current article about it in Variety, based on the fact that yesterday saw the debut of footage at the Annecy festival [1] in France. So that crop above is probably your first look at Ernest and Celestine, which adapts the book series by Gabrielle Vincent. The full image is below, along with some more news on the film. It looks like quite a change of pace from A Town Called Panic... Variety [2] announces that Lambert Wilson (The Matrix Reloaded, Of Gods and Men) will voice Ernest,...
- 6/9/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
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