« Open wide your heart and ears » said Niilo to Aamu, as he left her on the river bank… This is excellent advice given to Aamu, a little girl on a quest to see the world. « What is the world made of? » wonders the little girl… « Are there monsters, witches, ogres and sorceresses? » In fact, her path leads her to those living simply and in harmony with nature, all wizards in their own way. Under the benevolent gaze of her grandmother the little girl matures as she comes in contact with these characters, each one with their own delightful life lesson to offer.

A soothing film about the beauty of the world.

Festivals / Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival – November 2020, Skábmagovat – Indigenous People’s Film Festival – Inari, January 2021, FIFEM (Festival international du film pour enfants de Montréal) – février-mars 2021, Festival Internacional de Cine para los ninos (y no tan ninos) – Mexico, November 2021

(TRAILER)

CHARACTERS 

One evening Aino, Aamu’s grandmother, a very wise mother figure said to her granddaughter, « If you want to grow up, you must go out and see the world! » And so the little Aamu, filmed in animation and accompanied by her fox, goes out into the world to meet with very real characters.

The characters she meets are:

Niilo, the boatman. He’s a communicator who likes to share his joïks, poetry and joy.

Antero, the rich man who lives in a teeny tiny house. A solitary and slightly grouchy being, he is nevertheless generous. His wealth comes from nature, which gives him everything he needs.

Matleena, a sweet little lady who, as the seasons pass, collects pine roots to patiently craft them into wonderful items.

Anneli, the artist. In her studio, she always brings sunny days. She paints swans who remind her of her friend, gone to the other side of the world.

Nellas, the reindeer herder. He takes care of his animals in the winter, and longs for them all summer.

Jouni, the boat builder. With Jouni, we learn that to make beautiful things you must build with your heart. His work is outstanding.

Juhani and Leena live in a house round like the sky. Juhani watches the heavens while Leena has her feet firmly planted on the ground. Together they form a couple who enjoy and celebrate life.

Following her time with Juhani and Leena, Aamu wishes to return to her grandmother, whose voice she has heard all during her quest. She finds Niilo, to get back to the other shore.

Her grandmother, Aino, greets her with the shawl she knit for her during her transformative voyage.

With the kind participation of : / Antero Saralehto, Matleena Fofonoff, Anneli Kaarret, Niilo Länsman, Jouni Laiti, Juhani Harjunharja, Marja Leena Niiranen, Niilo Vuomajoki, Aino Snellman, Aamu Aurora Pieski

Director / Lucie Lambert

Researcher, assistant director and sound recordist  / Thora Herrmann

Director of photography  / Christian M. Fournier

Sound designer  / Claude Beaugrand

Voices (in French, English and Finnish)  / Anne M. Paré

Voices (Northern Sami) / Aura Mari Pieski

Script, editing, drawings, animation and second-unit camera  / Lucie Lambert

Original music  / Pierre-Antoine Tanguay, Kim Drouin-Radcliffe , Simon Gaboury

Production and distribution / Lucie Lambert, Les films du tricycle

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