The Rabbi's Cat (2011)

Set in Algeria in the 1920s, a rabbi's cat who learns how to speak after swallowing the family parrot expresses his desire to convert to Judaism.

Directors:

Antoine Delesvaux, Joann Sfar

Writers:

Sandrina Jardel (screenplay), Joann Sfar (comic book series)

Stars:

Mathieu Amalric, Hafsia Herzi, François Damiens

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Mathieu Amalric	...	Le prince (voice)
Hafsia Herzi	...	La fille du rabbin (voice)
François Damiens	...	Le reporter (voice)
Eric Elmosnino	...	Le professeur Soliman (voice)
Jean-Pierre Kalfon	...	Le malka des lions (voice)
Daniel Cohen	...	Le rabbin du rabbin (voice)
Karina Testa	...	Une copine de Zlabya (voice)
Maurice Bénichou	...	Le rabbin (voice)
Joann Sfar	...	Le juif de la malle (voice)
Wojciech Pszoniak	...	Vastenov (voice) (as Wojtek Pszoniak)
François Morel	...	Le chat du rabbin (voice)
Pascal N'Zonzi	...	Le premier géant (voice)
Alice Houri	...	Knidelette (voice)
Mohamed Fellag	...	Le cheik Mohammed Sfar (voice)
Djanis Bouzyani	...	Le disciple (voice)

Storyline

Algiers, 1920s. Rabbi Sfar has more than one problem. His beautiful daughter Zlabya is becoming a teenager and above all, his parrot-killing cat has just started talking. The delivery of a box from Russia further complicates things when a painter is discovered inside, more dead than alive. He is on a quest for a hidden tribe and its mythical city in Africa. Convinced that the city exists, he sets off on an incredible adventure, taking with him the Rabbi, his cat, a wise old Arab Sheikh and an eccentric Russian millionaire.

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Plot Keywords:

cat | rabbi | russian | parrot | africa | 

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Awards: Nomination au prix du Festival du Film d'Animation d'Annecy 2011 * Nomination aux European Film Awards 2011.

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Goofs

When they are prepping Vastenov's Citroën for the road trip, the Russian winds up painting a combined symbol representing both Russia and Jerusalem. However, you can see this symbol already painted on the Citroën when the titular Rabbi is first checking out the vehicle in Vastenov's garage.

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Connections

Features The Adventures of Tintin (1991)

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Soundtracks

Songs performed by Enrico Macias, Amsterdam and Klezner Band.

User Reviews

Very enjoyable animated feature for grown ups

I really enjoyed this film. It's brilliantly drawn, charming, discusses real events from history, and touches on philosophy. It also takes its time, which is refreshing nowadays. Clearly a lot of work went into this piece of art, which doesn't attempt to be a money making blockbuster.

It was neat to see another famous cartoon character make a cameo appearance midway through the film.

I'd really like to see more films like this. 8/10. Great work.

And now my usual Lorem Ipsum to satisfy IMDb's ten line requirement: But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook [France] Official site [France]

Country:

France

Language:

French Russian Hebrew

Release Date:

1 June 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

The Rabbi's Cat

Box Office

Budget:

EUR12,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,301, 9 December 2012

Gross USA:

$23,392

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,208,573

Company Credits

Production Co:

Autochenille Production, TF1 Droits Audiovisuels, France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color