Le Jour des Corneilles (The Day of the Crows)
Jean-Christophe Dessaint | Canada/Belgium/France/Luxembourg | 95 min | Family | DCP | French language dialogue with English subtitles
Saturday November 17, 2021 - 2:45pm
In a cabin in the deep of the forest, a child and his father lead a wild and hard life in utmost isolation. The child grows up fearing and admiring his father, with the ghosts haunting the forest as his only companions. Until the day he discovers a neighbouring village and meets a young girl there, Manon. At her side, he discovers that love exists. From then on he won’t cease to search for the place where his father’s love for him is hiding.
Based on Québécois author Jean-François Beauchemin’s eponymous novel, THE DAY OF THE CROWS is a beautiful hand-drawn rendering of nature and humanity, and the peace and savagery in both. Familiar themes like adjusting to new cultures and settings, the wild vs. the touch of human hands, boy meets girl have been fascinating audiences since the days of Jane and Tarzan. The added mysticism of forest spirits and the lush backgrounds of this Canadian-European co-production create a a certain kinship to Studio Ghibli’s films. The challenges that face the Son, and the uncompromising way that the film handles their resolution is most welcome; it’s nice to have a family film with no added sugar at the end.
This film is also notable as the final film credit for French New Wave director Claude Chabrol, who crafted such masterpieces as MASQUES, MADAME BOVARY and THE COLOR OF LIES.
All rights (c) 2012, Max Film Animation / Melusine Productions / Walking The Dog / Finalement.
