J'ai Rencontré Le Père Noël
Encyclopedia
J'ai rencontré le Père Noël (1984) is a French
film that was dubbed in English and retitled as Here Comes Santa Claus. The film is about Simon, a young boy, who is bullied at school by peers and adults alike. Simon's parents have been kidnapped
in Africa
, and the government has not responded to the ultimatum set by the kidnappers. Therefore, while on a field trip to the local airport, Simon and his friend Élodie sneak onto a jet liner and fly to Rovaniemi
to visit Santa Claus
in Lapland, to ask him to save Simon's parents. On the way, they encounter a Fairy
and an Ogre
.
The film stars Karen Cheryl, who was a popular singer at the time in France, as both Simon's schoolteacher and as the Fairy. She acts and sings musical numbers in the film.
Clearly designed for children, the film was primarily meant as a family comedy for the Christmas holidays. The film is also an opportunity for Karen Cheryl to repeatedly sing simplistic melodies, in line with the plot. Indeed, the director is not encumbered with improbabilities. Thus, the two young children arrive safely to travel to Lapland then Santa and the fairy teleport to Africa near the village where the parents are inmates, and finally the two children returned home and rushed to the Christmas
Mass where no one seems really surprised they reappear after their prolonged absence.
, with lyrics by Pierre-Andre Dousset.
Track Listing:
1. Générique
2. On s'prépare pour Noël
3. L'Arrivée à Rovaniemi
4. Oui, le Père Noël existe
5. La Classe
6. P'Tit Pomme sur le Pommier
7. Noël en Laponie
8. L'Usine à Jouets
9. Ballade pour une Fée
10. La Recherche en Afrique
11. Lutins, Trains, Vilains
12. Noël, un Enfant
13. Générique de Fin
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
film that was dubbed in English and retitled as Here Comes Santa Claus. The film is about Simon, a young boy, who is bullied at school by peers and adults alike. Simon's parents have been kidnapped
Kidnapping
In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person's will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority...
in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, and the government has not responded to the ultimatum set by the kidnappers. Therefore, while on a field trip to the local airport, Simon and his friend Élodie sneak onto a jet liner and fly to Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is a city and municipality of Finland. It is the administrative capital and commercial centre of Finland's northernmost province, Lapland. It is situated close to the Arctic Circle and is between the hills of Ounasvaara and Korkalovaara, at the confluence of the Kemijoki River and its...
to visit Santa Claus
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
in Lapland, to ask him to save Simon's parents. On the way, they encounter a Fairy
Fairy
A fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term...
and an Ogre
Ogre
An ogre is a large, cruel, monstrous, and hideous humanoid monster, featured in mythology, folklore, and fiction. Ogres are often depicted in fairy tales and folklore as feeding on human beings, and have appeared in many classic works of literature...
.
The film stars Karen Cheryl, who was a popular singer at the time in France, as both Simon's schoolteacher and as the Fairy. She acts and sings musical numbers in the film.
Clearly designed for children, the film was primarily meant as a family comedy for the Christmas holidays. The film is also an opportunity for Karen Cheryl to repeatedly sing simplistic melodies, in line with the plot. Indeed, the director is not encumbered with improbabilities. Thus, the two young children arrive safely to travel to Lapland then Santa and the fairy teleport to Africa near the village where the parents are inmates, and finally the two children returned home and rushed to the Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
Mass where no one seems really surprised they reappear after their prolonged absence.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was released on LP (WEA 74320 06). The music is composed by Francis LaiFrancis Lai
Francis Lai is a French accordionist, and composer noted for his film scores.While in his twenties, Francis Lai left home and went to Paris where he became part of the lively Montmartre music scene...
, with lyrics by Pierre-Andre Dousset.
Track Listing:
1. Générique
2. On s'prépare pour Noël
3. L'Arrivée à Rovaniemi
4. Oui, le Père Noël existe
5. La Classe
6. P'Tit Pomme sur le Pommier
7. Noël en Laponie
8. L'Usine à Jouets
9. Ballade pour une Fée
10. La Recherche en Afrique
11. Lutins, Trains, Vilains
12. Noël, un Enfant
13. Générique de Fin