You can bring the kids for the stilt walkers and jugglers, for the popcorn, pizza and face-painting, for all the under-the-big-tent fun that is Cinema Circus at the Chilmark Community Center every Wednesday at 5 p.m. The main act, of course, is the movie. This week the film is Kirikou and the Sorceress, and here to review it is Island kid critic Stella Frank.

See article below for details of the grownup film, Lost Son of Havana, which screens at 8 p.m., same place.

Kirikou and the Sorceress

By Stella Frank>

Kirikou and the Sorceress, directed by a French director, Michel Ocelot, was a very interesting movie. The opening scene, on its own, makes your jaw drop. An infant, Kirikou, talks from his pregnant mother’s stomach, then proceeds to come out on his own and bathe himself. He asks where his father is, and his mother tells him that a sorceress has eaten all of the men that have come her way, including Kirikou’s father. His uncle, the last remaining adult man in the village, is on his way to fight her now. As the bravest little baby there ever was, Kirikou runs after his uncle.

While all of the grownups believe in the sorceress’ superstitions, Kirikou only wants to know why she is so evil. And so, he sets off to visit the wise man, who gives him a life lesson: if you know you always have protection, then you will act stupidly. If you instead rely on your wisdom and courage, size will not prevent you from achieving your goals and being true to yourself.

Kirikou meets many new friends of nature (skunks, squirrels and colorful birds).

This movie was by far the weirdest movie I have ever seen. However, do not let that turn you off, it is also interesting and funny. The famous Youssou N’Dour’s music was so beautiful, and always set the tone in a non-cliché way. Not to mention the animation: all the different shades of brown, the flowers and wildlife, the reds, were all so amazing.

Although there is some cartoon nudity, it does not affect this great film.

I recommend this movie very much, and I guarantee you will find it to be very interesting.