FilmFest DC Movie Review: Kids Category

Written by Jessica Han, Editorial Intern | 16 May 2012

This year from April 12-22nd, Filmfest DC brought over 80 international films to the capitol. In its 26th year, the festival put together an engaging 10-day event with 3 special series: The Lighter Side, a focus on International Comedies, Justice Matters, a collection of films about social justice, and Caribbean Journeys, featuring new films from Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, and more.

In the Kids category, the number one must-see is Eleanor’s Secret.

Eleanor’s Secret

Dominique Monféry, France, 2009, 80 minutes, color

Although Nat doesn’t know how to read, his old Aunt Eleanor gives him ownership over her library, brimming with books. Though initially uninterested with the books, Nat soon discovers that these books hold in them the living characters of the stories written in them. Captain Hook, Alice, and even the Wicked Fairy come out to call on Nathaniel’s help and ask him to save them. If their books leave the library the characters themselves disappear and his parents have started selling the books before Nathaniel can read the magic inscription that will allow the characters to live.

To make matters worse, Nat is magically shrunk by evil witch Carabosse and still does not know how to read at all! Despite his shortcomings and inability to read, Nat faces his fears and sets off to save his new friends in this colorfully animated French film by Academy Award nominated director Dominique Monféry.

Other Must-Sees

Summer Wars

Mamoru Hosoda, Japan, 2009, 114 minutes, color

Ages 12 and up

The Thousand Year Fire

Naoki Segi, Japan, 2004, 89 minutes, color

Ages 9 and up