What it’s About
Two young sisters, Carmen (Bertieaux) and Juliette (Charpentier) visit their mother’s friend, fantasy writer Agnes (Asselin). With Agnes napping, the girls encounter an enchanted toy that whisks them into one of Agnes’s books, specifically, the Kingdom of the Winds, ruled by powerful sorcerer Sirocco (Lognay). This realm is filled with strange, wondrous creatures of all shapes and sizes. Suddenly transformed into cats, Carmen feels queasy, while Juliette’s intrigued. With the help of avian opera singer Selma (Konate), the girls plot a way to get home.
Why we Love It
Rendered with stunning hand-drawn animation, director Chieux and writing partner Alain Gagnol presents an eye-filling, off-the-wall fantasy with plenty of breathless twists and turns. Still, the plot is almost beside the point; it’s about absorbing the sights and sounds in this bizarre kingdom, and joining in the adventure. Showing the influence of animation master Mayazaki, this wildly imaginative yet meticulously drawn world should delight kids and adults alike. “Sirocco” is trippy, but it’s a trip you want to take.