- This page was last modified on 9 June 2025, at 15:55. Suggest an edit.
Ernest & Celestine facts for kids
| Ernest & Celestine | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | Stéphane Aubier Vincent Patar Benjamin Renner |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Daniel Pennac |
| Starring | Lambert Wilson Pauline Brunner |
| Music by | Vincent Courtois |
| Cinematography | Stéphane Aubier Vincent Patar |
| Editing by | Fabienne Alvarez-Giro |
| Studio | La Parti Productions Les Armateurs Melusine Productions |
| Distributed by | StudioCanal (France) Cinéart (Belgium) |
| Release date(s) | 23 May 2012 (Cannes) 12 December 2012 (France) 19 December 2012 (Belgium) |
| Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | Belgium France Luxembourg |
| Language | French |
| Budget | €8.9 million |
| Money made | $8.1 million |
Ernest & Celestine (French: Ernest et Célestine) is a wonderful animated movie from 2012. It was made by three directors: Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, and Benjamin Renner. This film is based on popular children's books by Gabrielle Vincent from Belgium.
The movie was shown at many famous film festivals around the world. These include the 2012 Cannes Film Festival and the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. It was released in the United States in 2013 by GKIDS. An English version came out in 2014, with voices from Forest Whitaker, Mackenzie Foy, and Lauren Bacall.
Ernest & Celestine was loved by many critics. It was the first animated movie to win the Magritte Award for Best Film. It was also nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 86th Academy Awards.
Contents
Story of Ernest & Celestine
Celestine is a young mouse who lives in an underground world. At her orphanage, the caretaker tells scary stories about bears. But Celestine isn't sure if these stories are true. She loves to draw, but she is expected to become a dentist, like all rodents.
To prepare, Celestine must go above ground to collect lost teeth from under bear cubs' pillows. One day, a bear family catches her. She gets trapped in a trash can overnight. The next morning, a hungry bear named Ernest finds her. He tries to eat her!
Celestine convinces Ernest to let her go. She helps him break into a candy shop basement. Ernest eats all the candy he wants, but the owner catches him. He gets arrested. Celestine needs more teeth for her quota. She promises to free Ernest if he helps her. They plan to get teeth from the dentist's office, which belongs to the candy shop owner's wife.
On the Run
The robbery seems to go well at first. But soon, police from both the mouse and bear cities chase them. They escape by stealing a van and drive to Ernest's quiet cabin. Ernest doesn't want Celestine to stay at first. But they start to become friends when he sees how much she loves art.
Ernest tells Celestine that he is poor because he didn't want to be a lawyer. His family wanted him to follow their tradition. But Ernest wanted to be an entertainer instead. They spend the winter happily together. However, radio news keeps saying that the police are still looking for them.
Facing the Judges
In the spring, the police find the stolen van at the cabin. Ernest is arrested by the mice, and Celestine is arrested by the bears. They are both put on trial at the same time, in different parts of the same courthouse. They both say they are being treated unfairly. They also refuse to tell on each other.
The angry judges don't listen to them. Ernest and Celestine then speak up about how the powerful people treat the common folk. During the trials, a fire accidentally starts in the courthouse. Everyone else runs away, even though the judges tell them to stay.
But Ernest and Celestine stay behind. They each rescue their own judge. The judges feel ashamed that their own people left them. But the ones they wanted to punish saved them. The judges then drop all charges against Ernest and Celestine. They let them live together, as they wished. The judges don't understand their strong friendship. They just watch as the courthouses burn down.
A New Beginning
Back at Ernest's cabin, the two friends decide to write a book. It will tell the story of their amazing friendship. Celestine makes sure they change the part where Ernest tried to eat her at the beginning!
Meet the Voices
| Character | French voice actor |
English dubbing actor |
|---|---|---|
| Ernest | Lambert Wilson | Forest Whitaker |
| Celestine | Pauline Brunner | Mackenzie Foy |
| The Grey One | Anne-Marie Loop | Lauren Bacall |
| The Rat Judge | Pierre Baton | Paul Giamatti |
| The Dentist | Dominique Collignon | William H. Macy |
| Lucienne | Brigitte Virtudes | Megan Mullally |
| Georges | Patrice Melennec | Nick Offerman |
| The Bear Judge | Féodor Atkine | Jeffrey Wright |
| Chief Police of Bears | Vincent Grass | David Boat |
Awards and Recognition
Ernest & Celestine won many awards around the world. It was recognized for its beautiful animation and heartwarming story.
| Awards Won | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result | |
| Academy Awards | Best Animated Feature | Benjamin Renner, Didier Brunner | Nominated | |
| Amsterdam Cinekid Festival | Best Picture | Won | ||
| César Awards | Best Animated Film | Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner, Didier Brunner, Henri Magalon | Won | |
| Dubai International Film Festival | People's Choice Award | Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner | Won | |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards | Best Animated Feature | Won | ||
| Magritte Awards | Best Film | Won | ||
| Best Director | Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar | Won | ||
| Best Sound | Frédéric Demolder, Emmanuel de Boissieu, Luc Thomas, Franco Piscopo | Won | ||
| Portland International Film Festival | Audience Award For Best Animated Feature | Stephane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner | Won | |
| Seattle International Film Festival | Youth Jury Award | Won | ||
See also
In Spanish: Ernest y Célestine para niños