Monday, July 2, 2012

The Triplettes of Belleville, A film

. . .and the Tour de France



The Triplettes of Belleville* (Les Triplettes de Belleville), is an animated comedy film released in 2003.  Written and directed by Sylvain Chomet, it was called Belleville Rendez-vous in the UK.  The visual effects are retro and perfect for the material.  The film was an international co-production between companies in France, the UK, Belgium and Canada.  The film's music is 1920s inspired and includes characters reminiscent of Josephine Baker, Fred Astaire, Glenn Gould and Dhango Reinhardt-the guitarist playing for the singing and dancing Triplettes.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286244/  Triplettes of Belleville Trailer and photo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npro9kjyaJk  Youtube-Triplettes of Belleville.

*Also known as Belleville Rendez-vous in the UK.


The film tells the story of Madame Souza, a grandmother who goes on a quest to rescue her grandson Champion, a Tour de France cyclist kidnapped by the French mafia and taken to the city of Belleville.  Souza is joined by the Triplettes of Belleville, music hall singers from the 1930s, and her obese hound, Bruno, as she searches for the hideout.  This is a film about a grandmother's devotion and ingenuity as well as about the annual Tour de France, a world famous cycling event currently taking place, 30 June–22 July, 2012.

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Have you ever heard of this animated movie, The Triplettes of Belleville OR the Tour de France?  Are you a competitive cyclist like the grandson in the story OR are you a weekend cyclist, riding for pleasure and fitness?

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References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Triplets_of_Belleville General Info, Wikipedia & French poster illustration


http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_triplets_of_belleville/  Film site rating


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Tour_de_France  Tour de France 2012 Info