O Gato do Rabino (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)
Karina Testa	...	Une copine de Zlabya (voice)
Jean-Pierre Kalfon	...	Le malka des lions (voice)
Maurice Bénichou	...	Le rabbin (voice)
Joann Sfar	...	Le juif de la malle (voice)
Wojciech Pszoniak	...	Vastenov (voice) (as Wojtek Pszoniak)
Daniel Cohen	...	Le rabbin du rabbin (voice)
François Morel	...	Le chat du rabbin (voice)
Mohamed Fellag	...	Le cheik Mohammed Sfar (voice)
Alice Houri	...	Knidelette (voice)
Pascal N'Zonzi	...	Le premier géant (voice)
Sava Lolov	...	Le peintre russe (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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Did You Know?

Trivia

French visa #119442 delivered on 9-5-2011.

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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 As Aventuras de Tintim (1991)

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Soundtracks

Songs performed by Enrico Macias, Amsterdam and Klezner Band.

User Reviews

Hated movie--not sure why

For animation buffs, the visuals are superb, so it isn't a surprise that it won some French award for that. The story, however, is another matter. Since I am unfamiliar with the original material, of which the movie is based, I can only speak to the adaptation.

You can read about the plot or the synopsis for the story line. I think the plot does capture "cattish" behavior quite well. The problem for me was the PC world view of the story. Forget 1920. Despite the period piece timing, the story is very much 2120. Everyone gets along or, more to the point, everyone should get along. Christian, Muslim, Jew, believer and atheist, black and white--you name it, it is here. That utopia awaits should not surprise anyone.

I would say the movie is for animation buffs for the most part. Animal lovers, and particular feline lovers as myself, will get drawn in but lost in the shuffle.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook [France] Official site [France]

Country:

France

Language:

French Russian Hebrew

Release Date:

1 June 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

O Gato do Rabino

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