Cricket never goes anywhere without his good friend, his violin, which helps him to overcome all difficulties with its magical, catchy music. The Czech artist Zdeněk Miler (1921-2011) creates a childlike universe full of sweetness without words. The graphics of the film’s seven episodes are simple and delicate, in pastel tones. In a very simple way, Miler evokes topical issues. Music plays a central role in the images, as many of the characters in this forest play instruments. You’ll encounter lots of animals: a grasshopper, a fish, a spider, ladybugs, a hen, a mouse, a bee and even a fish – an exploration of the animal kingdom for our young audiences! Étienne Meyer (b. 1976) has written a fine musical score to complement this poetic landscape, for an original combination of baroque instruments. The musicians play live, in synchronization with the film. Following the screening, the musicians will present their rare instruments to the audience.
A poetic cinema-concert for kids and adults. Animated film with live music on baroque instruments.
“Zdenek Miller began working during the Second World War and has since made some seventy films, among which his beloved character” “The Little Mole””, created in 1957, occupies a central place. Children all over the world grow up with the characters created by Miller, however in Israel his films were not distributed.
Étienne Meyer wrote new music for The Cricket to replace the original soundtrack. He uses the rich sounds of ancient musical instruments in a modern musical language. Meyer added a soundtrack to the three musicians, which is heard through the speakers, enriching the music and helping them to play precisely with the images.”
“This performance was created by the French ensemble Les Traversées Baroques at the Dijon Opera in December 2013.
Animator: Zdenek Miller
Composer: Étienne Meyer
Musicians: Nadav Ovadia – hammered dulcimer
Alma Meir Nir – cornett, recorder
Sonia Binnenfeld Navot – viola da gamba.”
