Michèle Cournoyer facts for kids

Michèle Cournoyer (born November 14, 1943) is a talented Canadian animator. She is known for her unique animated films. On March 1, 2017, she received a special Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts for all her amazing work.

Early Life and Art Journey

Michèle Cournoyer was born in Saint-Joseph-de-Sorel, Quebec. She started drawing when she was just five years old. At age 12, she began painting with oils while in the hospital. Her father bought her the paint set.

When she was 17, Michèle had to pause her art studies to care for her sick mother. Her mother passed away when Michèle was 20. After studying in Quebec City for two years, she moved to Montreal. Later, she went to London to study graphic arts.

Influences and Early Career

Studying in London during the 1960s, Michèle was inspired by different art styles. These included Pop Art, the Dada movement, and surrealism. In the 1970s, she worked in film. She designed sets, directed art, created costumes, and wrote screenplays for film companies in Quebec.

Independent Films and Animation

Michèle's first animated film was called Papa! Papa! Papa! (L'Homme et l'enfant). She was fascinated by the bond between parents and children. This led her to create a photography flip book that became her first film.

Her 1973 short film, Alfredo, was made while she was in Italy. When she returned to Quebec, she continued working in film. She helped with films like Mireille Dansereau’s La vie rêvée (1972) and L’arrache-coeur (1979). She also worked on Gilles Carle’s La Mort d’un bûcheron (1973). During this time, she also made her own independent films. These included Spaghettata, Toccata, Old Orchard Beach, P.Q., and Dolorosa.

Working with the National Film Board

In 1989, Michèle Cournoyer won a competition held by the National Film Board of Canada. This led to her first animated short film with them, A Feather Tale. Her films with the NFB often explore important topics.

Exploring Important Themes

Her film The Hat explores sensitive family issues. This film was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. It was also named one of the 100 Best Animated Films of All Time by Variety magazine in 2005.

Accordion looks at how people connect with each other. Robes of War explores themes of conflict and peace. Her 2014 film, Soif, looks at challenges people face in their lives.

Animation Techniques

Michèle Cournoyer mostly uses traditional animation methods. This means she draws each frame by hand. She did try using computers for some works, like An Artist (1994). However, she often finishes her computer-started projects on paper.

Hand-Drawn Artistry

For example, The Hat began on a computer but was completed by her on paper. Her 2014 film, Soif, was made using ink on paper. It took her four years to create. She made 10,000 drawings for the film, but only 1,800 were used in the final version. She usually draws with a pen and black ink in white notebooks.

Filmography

• Papa! Papa! Papa! (L'Homme et l'enfant), 1969
• Alfredo, 1973
• Spaghettata (co-directed with Jacques Drouin), 1976
• La Toccata, 1976
• Old Orchard Beach P. Q., 1981
• Dolorasa, 1988
• A Feather Tale (La Basse-cour), 1992
• An Artist (Une Artiste), 1994
• The Hat (Le Chapeau), 1999
• The Accordion, 2004
• Robes of War (Robe de guerre), 2008
• Soif, 2014

Awards and Recognition

In 2015, the Ottawa International Animation Film Festival held a special event. It featured a look back at Michèle Cournoyer's work and an art exhibition. On February 27, 2017, she was announced as a winner of a Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts. This award celebrates her significant contributions to visual and media arts in Canada.