An invitation to travel and discover Guadeloupe and an ode to self-acceptance and difference, “Vanille” by Guillaume Lorin is released this week in cinemas, accompanied by two other short films. From what age to see the film?
Recommended from 6 years old – At the cinema on February 2
• Once upon a time: A little Parisian freshly landed for the holidays in Guadeloupe, her mother’s island of origin, Vanille plunges into an adventure tinged with mystery, to meet picturesque characters and a magical flower. This is a vacation that promises to be rich in twists and turns!
• What they will love: First short film by Guillaume Lorin, Vanille is a pretty animated proposition and above all a wonderful invitation to travel. Travel outside Guadeloupe, to meet quirky and endearing characters, to the sound of local music and the Creole language. Cultural journey, discovering local legends like this mysterious Soukounian hair thief. Finally, an inner journey towards self-discovery and self-acceptance. All in an astonishing hybrid graphic approach, which combines animation “à la Chat du rabbi” with real shots in the heart of the island’s forests.
• What may worry them: The “attacks” of the Sokounian, a mischievous little blackbird that freezes its victims to steal their hair at night, can perhaps cause a little fear in the youngest. But let them be reassured, Vanille and the boy from the forest Oba will do everything to thwart his plans, helped by a formidable cast of characters where Papi Sarbacane, Loulouze, Ipomène, and Aunt Frédérique rub shoulders.
• What they will keep inside them: “Around me, many women and young girls are ready to pay a fortune to alter the nature of their hair by straightening it to follow a canon of beauty imposed by all the representations to which they are subjected. I am for everyone to do this he wants with his body, but when I see that it stems from a lack of self-love, it saddens me and I see great injustice in it.” Through this celebration of his Caribbean roots, director Guillaume Lorin above all defends a universal message on self-acceptance. The short film, judiciously completed by the pretty films Kiko and the animals by Yawen Zheng and Ton français est parfait by Julie Daravan Chea, also celebrates the acceptance of others and their differences. In short, pretty messages.
