No doubt, this brand new feature film in the “Tales for All” series amply meets expectations.
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Impossible to mention the “Tales for all” without reliving the emotions of our childhood. This series of films, created and produced by Rock Demers, is a monument of our cultural heritage whose characters or replicas populate our collective imagination (all I have to do is write “La guerre, la guerre…” for you to complete the rest… with the intonation of the film).
In this context, “Coco Ferme” was a challenge, met with flying colors by the entire film crew, from producer Dominic James to the young actors, all bursting with freshness and naturalness.
“Coco Ferme” is the story of Max (Olivier Desgagnés, perfect), an almost 12-year-old teenager whose father (Simon Lacroix, very good) decides to move to the countryside, taking his son with him. Max is not happy – to say the least – and, to escape the boredom of the summer holidays, he has the idea of creating a farm of 500 laying hens with the help of Charles (Joey Bélanger, impeccable) and Alice (Emma Bao Linh Tourné, full of vivacity), a social media enthusiast.
The three friends will quickly find unexpected help in the person of Tite-Bière (Benoît Brière, touching), a former butcher who has lost his business, his wife and his children, and who has sunk into alcoholism. The trio that has become a quartet will manage to make their Coco Ferme shine far beyond their village.
Like the other “Tales for all”, “Coco Ferme” delivers several inspiring messages that warm the heart in these rather gloomy times. The value of friendship, pride in a job well done – Benoît Brière’s line will send shivers down the spine of the most jaded spectator –, faith in one’s abilities, in life, are all themes skilfully explored, without ever falling into the cucul or in the parish sermon. Current topics such as local production, respect for animals or the peasant revolution at a time of the omnipresence of large chain stores allow the public of all ages to feel, not only concerned, but involved in the issues presented.
Written with great intelligence by Dominic James and brought to life with contagious enthusiasm by Sébastien Gagné, “Coco Ferme” also shines with its mature and respectful way of addressing young people… and the whole family. A very fine success, from home moreover, which always does a lot of good.
Rating: 4 out of 5
“Coco Ferme” arrives in the dark rooms of the Belle Province from February 24th.