Name: Le fleuve aux grandes eaux
Genre: Documentary, Animation, Short
Released: 1994-09-28
Duration: 24 min
Rating: 7.8
Cast: Paul Hébert, Donald Sutherland

This film was brought to us by Frédéric Back, who created CRAC and THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES--two of the most beautiful and glorious animated films of all time and both Oscar winners. And, in the case of THE MIGHTY RIVER (LE FLEUVE AUX GRANDES EAUX), it also is a masterpiece. However, it lost the Oscar to a Wallace & Gromit film. I couldn't fault the Academy one way or another with this decision, as the two forms of art are so different--how do you compare brilliant stop-motion with adorable characters with an animated film that have tons of depth and is like a moving tapestry? They both were brilliant and it's too bad only one could have won this particular year.

The film I saw was the English language version. I don't know about the French language one, but Donald Sutherland's narration was absolutely perfect. His soft and Canadian-accented voice was perfect in telling this tale of the St. Lawrence River. But, no matter how pretty his voice was, the animation itself was amazing--like paintings coming to life.

The film begins with the beginning of the River. The pristine nature of this seaway is great to watch, as you see schools of fish and mammals cavorting. Then the film goes from the Native American era to the colonial period to today.

The emphasis of this film is on the exploitation of the river and the way that mankind has taken it for granted. I appreciate this message and loved the film as it slowly meandered to a conclusion. The only way I would like to have seen the message changed at all was if the film had some sense of hope for the future. While I do NOT want people to take it for granted, at least in recent years the trend has been more positive--towards cleaning up the river and Great Lakes. While more needs to be done, they are a heck of a lot cleaner and healthier than decades ago--and this makes me feel that there is still lots of hope for the future. But, in a 24 minute film, you can't say it all! Brilliant, beautiful and a true masterpiece of animation.

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

Animation is a form of visual storytelling that involves creating visual art and motion through the use of various techniques and technologies. In animation, images are manipulated to create the illusion of movement, bringing characters, objects, and environments to life. Animation can encompass a wide range of styles, themes, and intended audiences, making it a diverse and versatile form of storytelling.

Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

The family genre features stories specifically created to be suitable for a wide range of age groups within a family. Family-oriented content is designed to be enjoyed by both children and adults, often providing entertainment that is wholesome, relatable, and appropriate for all members of a family to watch or experience together.

Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The history genre features recounting and analyzing past events, societies, cultures, and historical figures. This genre aims to provide insights into the development of civilizations, the causes and consequences of historical events, and the impact of individuals and ideas on the course of history.

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

The environmental history of the St. Lawrence River and the impact of human exploitation of it.

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The Mighty River

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