The Man Who Planted Trees

The artistry of Frederic Back is magic worth discovering. Refreshingly different from today's computer generated animation, the painstaking, graceful and positively low-tech quality of Back's animated films achieves visual poetry in motion. The two best entries- "Trees" and "River"- also convey a vital message about humanity's responsibility to the natural world, and the dangers in not meeting that responsibility. Due to thick accents and a stiff, rehearsed quality, the interviews are less rewarding than the films, which speak eloquently for themselves. Watch this with your kids, young or old.

Frédéric Back's 30 minutes long Oscar winning animated film "The Man Who Planted Trees" is astounding work of art with its beautiful story and the images that equal it. The story written by the French writer Jean Giono that tells about Elzeard Bouffier, a quiet shepherd, and later bee keeper who never talked much but over 35 years of hard work singlehandedly cultivated a magnificent forest in a desolate area of Provence, France and made it a peaceful and happy home for over 10, 000 people, is highly moving, inspirational, and life-affirming. It makes a viewer proud of what a man can achieve if he is determined to create, not to destroy. Every frame looks and feels not like a flat drawing but like a beloved painting of a celebrated impressionist painter (Monet, Sisley, Morisot, and Pissarro, the "purest" impressionists come first to mind). To achieve this effect, Back worked on unpolished acetates using crayons and modulating the colors. During the film, the colors change dramatically from barren and lifeless desert like palette in the beginning to the tender glowing delicate colors of blossoming eternal Spring in the final scenes. I was absolutely mesmerized by Back's visual style and his ability to beautifully translate such a literally story to the screen and not to lose any of its appeal but on the contrary to enrich it with incredible taste and unique exquisite beauty and tenderness of his images. For the first time, I came across the work of animation that reminded me so much of my all time favorite animated film "Tale of Tales" (1978) by Yuri Norstein, artistically and spiritually. It was not surprising for me to find out that Norstein and Back have met, respect and admire each other work and that Norstein studied Back's techniques and took with him to Moscow Back's acetates and coloring pencils that he was going to use while working on his ambitious project, full feature animation "Overcoat".

There is one question that pops up from time to time on the different film forums, "Is there any movie that all viewers would love and cherish"? I am always skeptical and up until tonight used to believe that the universally loved movie simply does not exist. I am happy to admit that I was wrong. I don't think that anyone who saw this little marvel may not be affected by its clear message, its kindness, beauty, and artistry.

Highly recommended as deservingly one of the very best animated movies ever made.

5+/5

This is an excellent film about the power of one person to make a positive difference on behalf of our environment. I HIGHLY recommend it! Enjoy!

The Man Who Planted Trees is a great animated short about the power of one individual to make a difference for our environment. It's an excellent film. The collection, however, pales in comparison. It's not worth the extra money-- if you want the Man Who Planted Trees, just buy the DVD of that alone.

Excellent material for an adult discussion group. Could even be considered spiritual, but not necessarily. Topic related to caring for the environment, and the positive effects this care might have on the general public of the community.