The Little Prince (2015)
The little prince is the prime example of an unconventional way of following Vladmir Propp’s eight-character types where some characters are symbolically portrayed. Moreover, it is very rare to see how the movie was not an exact adaptation of the book. The actual book itself is used as an actual book here i.e., as a plot device. The film is not bodged down, in the sense that it has to stay true to the source material. In a a way it does that but then again brings something new to the table. The movie is executed is a very unconventional and playful manner that doesn’t let the watchers lose interest.
The film features a linear plot and adheres to Todorov’s narrative paradigm. Has an unstable balance when the girl begins to believe that everyone is alone at some time. She sets off on a quest to discover the Little Prince and determine what is meant to be. She recognises the meaning of life, which produces a new equilibrium.
Speaking of Vladimir Propp’s 8-character types, some characters act as more than one while some are symbolic characters.
The Hero – Little Girl, a smart, feisty and precocious girl with a kind heart. She has a very inquisitive mind and struggles to balance growing up and basking in her childhood.
The Aviator as various characters e.g. the Father and the donor. The Aviator, an eccentric and retired aviator who befriended the Little Prince in the Sahara Desert and acts as a mentor to the Little Girl.
The False Villain – The little girl’s mother, who organises her entire life according to her will and is an absentee parent.
The Villain – though there are not any such villains in the story but I regard as time itself being one. One of the messages given in the film is ‘Growing up is not a problem, but forgetting your childhood is’.
The False Hero – The little prince an eternally young boy and resident of “Asteroid B612”, a small asteroid roughly the same size as him. The adult version of Little Prince who has forgotten his own childhood and becomes an anxious, incompetent janitor for the Businessman.
Levi Strauss’ Binary Oppositions
The film clearly makes it about Childhood VS Growing Up, or more precisely Little Girl VS society that dictates her life. The film is resolved as Little girl realises what it means to be a kid and enjoy the moments of life.
I am continuously impressed by how this endearing narrative interacts with its characters to create a compelling plot. Similarly, I attempt to produce artwork that does not just intrigue children by its visuals but also pique the interest of their parents through having a deeper and relatable layer to it. It has the ability to tackle complex themes in a way that is appealing to people of all ages. The narrative covers fundamental topics like grief, love, and the purpose of life using metaphors and symbols. As an animator, I want to incorporate similar topics into my own work while being lighthearted and engaging.
The Little Prince does this by combining realistic and fantasy aspects to create a distinct visual style. This helps the audience to suspend their disbelief and immerse themselves completely in the tale. Similarly, with my own work, I want to mix reality and whimsy in order to create an interesting and unforgettable experience.
Another thing I admire about Little Prince is how the characters are given different personalities and goals that propel the narrative forward. Each character has their own quirks and weaknesses, making them real and charming to children and adults alike. In my own work, I strive to create characters who are as memorable and dynamic as they are, each with their own set of strengths and weaknesses.
The film taught me a lot about creating cartoons that are both amusing and relevant to a larger audience. I intend to produce cartoons that both children and their parents will love for years to come by drawing inspiration from its distinct visual style, vibrant characters, and thought-provoking subjects.
References
Media, A. C. o. C. a. t., 2016. Raising Children. [Online]
Available at: https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/movie-reviews/the-little-prince
The Little Prince. 2015. [Film] Directed by Mark Osborne. France: Netflix.
Saint-Exupéry, A. d., 1943. The Little Prince. s.l.:s.n.
Arsalan Awais 
Beghairat is someone who has no ghairat
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