Le Grand Méchant Renard et autres contes (The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales)

14^th October 2017 12.30pm at BFI Southbank (NFT)
15^th October 2017 12.00pm at Vue West End

Imagine the scene. A pig, a duck and a rabbit are racing around the countryside with a baby in their arms, fighting over which direction to take. In a new animated picture from Patrick Imbert and Benjamin Renner, this fantasy plot has come to life.

Adapted from Renner’s books of the same title, this feature film consists of three acts, each telling a different and unique tale of its own. The movie is set in the country pastures of France, yet narrated by the cast of characters as if they are performing on a stage in front of the audience. From a delivery of a baby because the stork was too lazy to saving Christmas, The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales collates numerous characters and personalities and incorporates them into simple storylines with endless relatable and entertaining elements. Each adventure leaves the viewer laughing themselves silly, whilst also including an intense plot line that will leave us guessing the result right up to the end.

The French picture appeals to audiences of all ages, with adult references and themes blended into lighthearted stories about talking farm animals. The mix of blunt humour with slapstick narratives makes The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales a very pleasurable watch, allowing us to sink back and envelope ourselves in a childhood fantasia. Playful themes, colourful imagery and a joyous soundtrack add to the overall gratifying experience, with characters each owning their own unique quirks that contribute a different dimension to each tale. The wonderful thing about this movie is that no matter how predictable the stories may be, there are always sudden twists and turns that develop the characters further whilst throwing us off the sense of direction.

Short and digestible, The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales is a charming French picture made up of an enjoyable series of short episodes. With a Looney Tunes feel to it, the film holds a sentimental value for the older viewer, whilst also offering fresh content to those of a more tender age. Plus, it is quite simply very humorous!

Guy Lambert

Le Grand Méchant Renard et autres contes (The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales) does not have a UK release date yet.

Read more reviews and interviews from our London Film Festival 2017 coverage here.

For further information about the festival visit the official BFI website here.

Watch the trailer for Le Grand Méchant Renard et autres contes (The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales) here: