C.hi does not know the story of Belle & Sebastien? Between book (dated ’65), various cartoons, TV series and films that have been made of it, it is a story that has accompanied the growth of generations of children. But that has also filled the hearts of generations of sensitive and romantic adults. This evening 1 August Rai 1 at 9:25 pm re-proposes the film Belle & Sebastien of 2013 directed by Nicolas Vanier. Unmissable to treat yourself to a dose of good humor and trust on friendship and the happy ending of stories (even the most complicated).
Belle & Sebastien: the plot
The plot is known, but it is always a pleasure to remember it. We are in 1943 in the French Alps, on the border with Switzerland. Sebastien is six years old, he is a child who has lost his mother, Roma, who died in childbirth. His death occurred on Saint Sebastian’s day, so it was decided to call that child born by miracle Sebastien. By chance, on the spot, he was there Cesar, shepherd who decides to take care of the baby. In fact, he becomes a caring and loving grandfather.
Sebastien, however, does not know the truth. Cesar, thinking he will suffer less, tells him that his mother emigrated “to America, just beyond the mountains”. Sebastien, then, desperately looking for his mother, spends his days in the mountains hoping, who knows, to see her appear again. One day, instead, a huge, wild dog appears in front of him, long-haired, soft, but all dirty (he is a patou, a Pyrenean mountain dog). Sebastien immediately realizes that this is what in the village they call the “beast”, a mysterious animal that people believe exterminates their flocks. This is why everyone is chasing the “beast”: they want to kill it to calmly resume grazing activity.
Thus was born the friendship between Sebastien and Belle
Sebastien, however, senses that it is a good, sweet, affectionate dog. She is female. Between caresses, cuddles, hugs on all fours, a deep friendship is born between the two. Sebastien dives into the river, the dog dives too and, when cleaned, shows its white coat. For its beauty, Sebastien baptizes it Beautiful.
The mountain tours of Sebastien and Belle increase. But the little one says nothing to Belle’s grandfather, he knows that if he found out he would kill her. Instead, he wants to protect her. The villagers, however, manage to discover Belle’s presence anyway and begin to hunt her down. They manage to hurt her. The town doctor saves her life, after Sebastien’s endless prayers.
And the village also begins to trust Belle
The distrust of Belle is finally and definitively broken only when it is the doctor himself who is rescued by Belle. It happens when the historical context in which the facts unfold emerges: France in 1943, occupied by the Nazis who hunted down Jews. The doctor is at the head of the “resistance” that rescues Jews by helping them cross the border with Switzerland. One evening, as the doctor escorts a Jewish family to the edge of salvation, sees a pack of wolves attacking one of the village’s flocks. Proof that Belle is innocent. The doctor tries to hunt the wolves, but is injured. And here the roles are reversed ea saving him, this time, is Belle, who hunts the wolves and drags the doctor home.
The very young actor Félix Bossuet who plays Sebastien with the magnificent dog who plays Belle (Getty Images)
The truth comes out: Sebastien with Belle no longer feels alone
At this point the doctor is safe and Belle’s reputation finally recovered. But the Jews are still there. To escort them to Switzerland, instead of the doctor, are Belle and Sebastien together with the granddaughter of Cesar, who finally finds the opportunity to tell Sebastien the truth about his mother.
The group, albeit with great difficulty, manages to bring the Jews to Switzerland. To turn back, Sebastien faces a dangerous path. But he’s not alone: Belle is with him.
A story of friendship and trust
It is a story of friendship between man and dog. But it’s a story in general of trust in the powerful strength of true and genuine friendship. It’s a story in which good triumphs and good feelings manage to restore that happiness torn for a thousand reasons (for the death of a mother, for the Nazis who persecute the Jews, for the bad faith that makes Belle think the “beast”). It’s just a movie. But arrived at the end credits there is, overflowing, the desire to believe that it can also be reality.
The film, the sequels and the novel
The film is based on the novel of the same name published in ’65 by the French actress and screenwriter Cécile Aubry. You have two other films as follows: Belle & Sebastien – The adventure continues (2015, directed by Christian Duguay) And Belle & Sebastien – Friends forever (of 2018, directed by Clovis Cornillac).
Amazing, in his absolute sweetness, the interpreter of the protagonist: the very young French actor Félix Bossuet, who was Sebastien in all three films. “I think I’ve found a friend, ”he says at one point. They answer him: «Are you sure you can trust?». The relief is being able to say “yes”.
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