French animation has fascinated me for quite some time. When I saw a traditionally animated French movie was in the TAAFI lineup, of course I was going to review it. Starring Jean Reno as Courj, Day of the Crow is a fantastic film that combines M. Night Shymalan’s The Village and Tarzan.

Set in a small country village, Day of the Crow has the nameless son of a forest wildman, Courj, venture out of the forest into the real world. The child (Lorant Deutsch) has grown up in a far from normal household, raised by a mentally unwell father and surrounded by forest spirits only he can see. Told that nothing exists outside the forest, he has to search for help when his father is left injured in a storm. Along the way, he gets a crash course in civilization and learns some dark secrets about his father’s past.

Based on a novel by the Quebecois author Jean-Francoise Beauchemin, this is an absolute treat, with stunning animation, fantastic character designs, and an excellent voice cast. Deutsch is perfectly cast, and the late Claude Chabrol plays his final role of the local doctor with warmth and kindness that many other voice actors could not manage. The visuals combine Studio Ghibli, 19th century landscapes and Peanuts, and meshes the radically different styles perfectly. The half human forest spirits in particular look amazing.

Definitely recommended for any animation fan, especially for fans of French animation. Showing as part of the TAAFI film lineup at 6:30, July 26th .

Donal O’Connor