"Âme noire - Black Soul" is a 10-minute animated short film by Martine Chartrand and it is her second and most known film, mostly because of the awards attention it received, also at the Berlin Film Festival for example. Surprising to see she only makes a new one every 10 years apparently. Chartrand is a Canadian filmmaker and this one here was made by the National Film Board of Canada taking a look at the history of Black people in Canada, a topic that has not been discussed and elaborated on very much compared to the United States. Of course, there are also references to the USA, such as Martin Luther King's speech. And I personally would have preferred if it was just about Canada as everything else we have seen so many other times already. Chartrand made this one 15 years ago and the first parts of the film I found fairly boring as it was all just so generic and about discrimination. But the longer the film went, the better it became as it also elaborated on other aspects, such as the reality of Blacks and Whites living in harmony these days and music, an extremely important chapter in Black history. Overall, it became a good watch and I recommend this little movie.
5 Reviews
a beautiful history lesson about an ugly part of history
acmelita14 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
You won't believe how much history that is covered in just eight minutes. But it never once feels rushed or forced.
Some of the aspects of history this film covers, within the African-American experience, are the agricultural influence, the slave experience, including Marie-Joseph Angélique's story, and the industrial revolution.
The beautiful oil paint on glass is technique is complemented with a rich, well timed soundtrack. Its evocative soundtrack is a mix of the Boütz dancers' irresistible rhythms, Lilison T. S. Cordeiro's mellow African music, the magnificent voice of Ranee Lee backed up by a gospel choir, and instrumentals composed by the great Montreal jazz pianist Oliver Jones.
You can catch this beautiful film at www.Filmporium.com where they are offering the $5 DVD with this short, the historical (and Academy Award nominated) "My Grandmother Ironed the King's Shirt and the hilarious "Shipwrecked".
Some of the aspects of history this film covers, within the African-American experience, are the agricultural influence, the slave experience, including Marie-Joseph Angélique's story, and the industrial revolution.
The beautiful oil paint on glass is technique is complemented with a rich, well timed soundtrack. Its evocative soundtrack is a mix of the Boütz dancers' irresistible rhythms, Lilison T. S. Cordeiro's mellow African music, the magnificent voice of Ranee Lee backed up by a gospel choir, and instrumentals composed by the great Montreal jazz pianist Oliver Jones.
You can catch this beautiful film at www.Filmporium.com where they are offering the $5 DVD with this short, the historical (and Academy Award nominated) "My Grandmother Ironed the King's Shirt and the hilarious "Shipwrecked".
Absolutely lovely....
planktonrules16 December 2008
Had I never seen the films of Aleksandr Petrov (such as his OLD MAN AND THE SEA and MY LOVE), I probably would have scored BLACK SOUL with a 10. Petrov and Martine Chartrand both use a similar paint on glass style of animation and Petrov's is just slightly prettier--and has resulted in Oscars and Oscar nominations for his work. This is not to say that Chartrand's work is bad--certainly not. It just isn't quite as amazing as Petrov's.
Both consist of images that are painted and they shift and change before your very eyes--like a living painting. When you first see this, you are blown away that anyone can make anything so beautiful and artistic--so much so that you really can't compare it to other types of animation. It's more like an art gallery come to life that constantly morphs! BLACK SOUL is the entire Black experience from the earliest days to the present--with the major events of the last several thousand years shown in this lovely tapestry. Although there is no dialog, the film definitely keeps your interest because the art and accompanying music are so terrific. For fans of animation as art, this is a must-see. Kids, on the other hand, may or may not appreciate this.
Both consist of images that are painted and they shift and change before your very eyes--like a living painting. When you first see this, you are blown away that anyone can make anything so beautiful and artistic--so much so that you really can't compare it to other types of animation. It's more like an art gallery come to life that constantly morphs! BLACK SOUL is the entire Black experience from the earliest days to the present--with the major events of the last several thousand years shown in this lovely tapestry. Although there is no dialog, the film definitely keeps your interest because the art and accompanying music are so terrific. For fans of animation as art, this is a must-see. Kids, on the other hand, may or may not appreciate this.
Heart and Soul
Rectangular_businessman19 September 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Very, very beautiful animation, done with a similar technique to the superb shorts done by the Russian animator Aleksandr Petrov (Director of shorts "The Old Man and The Sea", "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man", among others) This short, pretty much like the works of Petrov, possess a unique, almost dream-like beauty, which in less than 10 minutes is able to express in a very poetic way centuries of history and cultural heritage.
Each single frame of this outstanding animation is a work of art, with a fascinating image filled with lyricism and subtlety, having a captivating quality that transcends any time and age.
I would rate this with eleven stars if I could.
Each single frame of this outstanding animation is a work of art, with a fascinating image filled with lyricism and subtlety, having a captivating quality that transcends any time and age.
I would rate this with eleven stars if I could.
Go With The Flow...
wobelix13 April 2008
My Goodness, this is one astonishingly beautiful film ! Breathtaking !
(Dark) Ages of history are shown floating by, going seemingly without any effort (and boy must thát have taken a lot of work to accomplish !) from one epoque to the next. This is glorious storytelling of the highest level.
Sensational & Superbly Skilled Film-making !
But it doesn't end here. The film is made as if the viewer is watching an oil paint painting in progress, which progresses along the story and keeps on moving. Moving us deeply and astonishes us maybe even more due to this breathtaking technique. As if Van Gogh or Gaugain is sitting next to us painting this story while we are watching it.
It is só beautiful, só overwhelming; this is truly a major accomplishment in film-making.
Or better yet: this must be one of the most wonderful films ever made !
(Dark) Ages of history are shown floating by, going seemingly without any effort (and boy must thát have taken a lot of work to accomplish !) from one epoque to the next. This is glorious storytelling of the highest level.
Sensational & Superbly Skilled Film-making !
But it doesn't end here. The film is made as if the viewer is watching an oil paint painting in progress, which progresses along the story and keeps on moving. Moving us deeply and astonishes us maybe even more due to this breathtaking technique. As if Van Gogh or Gaugain is sitting next to us painting this story while we are watching it.
It is só beautiful, só overwhelming; this is truly a major accomplishment in film-making.
Or better yet: this must be one of the most wonderful films ever made !
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