Programme 2006

Children's knowledge grows all the time, not only under the influence of school and formal learning, but most of all due to their spontaneous curiosity about everything surrounding them. Films which can bring out that curiosity are a valuable tool on the path of maturation and learning. The prerequisite for this is of course that the content and form of the film are appropriate for children, compatible with their age as well as their development characteristics and needs. As a child develops, genres vary in popularity, and older children will be able to receive significantly more information, which is why the time they spend attending to the medium of film increases. But at all times they find interesting those topics which are central to their current stage in life.

Between the fourth and sixth years of primary school, children as film viewers find themselves standing at the crossroads: although they are already consuming films intended for adults, they still have their hearts set on animation (something they will not admit easily because in their mindset animation is intended for small children). This is the moment when they can be offered a different perspective of animation film and taught to recognize its artistic and substantive value.

Quality animation films contain a number of elements children find attractive: they are entertaining, exciting, they have their heroes who relentlessly withstand the stronger, bigger and mean to save themselves, their friends or the whole planet, such films provide unexpected twists, accidents causing general confusion, and similar elements which are essential to child humour. The appropriate dramaturgy introduces thrill and clash between good and evil into the story, which always creates excitement and heightened expectations.

At this age, prophecies, myths, secrets and great adventures are at the centre of the children's experiential world, which is why the film Raining Cats and Frogs is sure to appeal to them. Its conflict and denouement will inspire their imagination even after the screening and we should later be prepared to talk about what they have seen and experienced. The ability to analyze the content of a film and your own feelings is a lifetime treasure.

Martina Peštaj

France, 2003, 35 mm, colour, 90'.  In French language with English and Slovenian subtitles. Suitable for children.

directed by: Jacques-Rémy Girerd
script: Jacques-Rémy Girerd, Antoine Lanciaux, Iouri Tcherenkov
art design: Iouri Tcherenkov, Jean-Loup Felicioli
animation: Zoia Trofimova, Michael Dudok de Witt, Alain Gagnol, Luis Rego, Jacques Higelin, Romain Bouteille
photography: Patrick Talleron
editing: Hervé Guichard
music: Serge Besset
sound: Frédéric Attal
voices: Michel Piccoli (Ferdinand), Laurentine Milebo (Juliette), Coline Girerd (Lili), Kevin Hervé (Tom), Anouk Grimberg (Želva), Annie Girardot (slonica Denise), Michel Galabru (slon Roger), Jacques Higelin (Lev)
produced by: Folimage (Patrick Eveno, Jacques-Rémy Girerd), Studio Canal, France 2 Cinéma, Rhône-Alpes Cinéma

Awards

Grand Prix Ottawa International Animation Film Festival, 2004; Special Mention Berlin International Film Festival, 2004; Adult's Jury Award Chicago International Children's film Festival 2004