CHIFF20: The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily

“Beautifully drawn with bold colors and appealing shapes... to charm children and adults alike.” —Variety

Based on a classic 1945 Italian children’s book and premiering at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, this French-language animation tells a tale of conflict between humans and bears in the kingdom of Sicily.

When bear cub Tonino is snatched up by hunters, his father King Leonzio assembles a search party and heads out into the wild to find him. When the bears encounter the region’s human population, the tyrannical Grand Duke assumes they wish to invade and commands his troops to attack the bears. In the aftermath the bears find themselves in a new position of power. Can these well-meaning creatures exercise their power benevolently, or are they also susceptible to corruption, infighting and betrayal? Surrounded by magic and mythical beasts, bears and humans must learn to live peacefully together. 

Parental guidance: mild impact violence and some scenes that may scare or upset younger viewers.

Rating

E

Cast

Leïla Bekhti, Jean-Claude Carrière, Thierry Hancisse, Thomas Bidegain

Director

Lorenzo Mattotti