On the occasion of the release of Calamity, a childhood of Martha Jane Cannary, we had the chance to speak with the director Rémi Chayé. After his first film, Tout en haut du Monde, the filmmaker is back with this new nugget of French animation. A superb film, available in cinemas since Wednesday, October 14, 2020.
Who is Rémi Chayé?
Rémi Chayé started as a storyboard designer in 2009 for Kérity la maison des contes. After 11 years of career, the filmmaker has asserted himself during the projects and now flies solo. Both as a screenwriter and as a director. In 2011, he became 1st assistant director on Le Tableau. Then, in 2015, he directed his first film: Tout en haut du Monde. This year, he is back with his second animated feature film: Calamity, a childhood by Martha Jane Canary, awarded the Cristal for feature film at the Annecy Animation Film Festival 2020.
Calamity, a childhood of Martha Jane Canary
The feature film tells the story of Calamity Jane's childhood, before she became a famous figure in the American West. The story is set in 1863, as a convoy advances west, hoping to achieve a better life. It was then that Martha Jane's father was seriously injured, forcing the girl to fend for herself. She quickly realized that the status of woman in her time would prevent her from achieving her ambitions. She then decides to pretend to be a boy and goes on a solo adventure that will teach her the basics of cowboy life. 
Calamity, a childhood of Martha Jane Canary is a superb success. A remarkable film as much in aesthetics as in writing. Rémi Chayé offers a stunning visual approach, superb shots and an absolutely wonderful play of colors. Calamity is a sublime work that offers an unforgettable colorful approach. The story is not to be outdone since Calamity tells the liberation of a woman, who will break her chains and the mores of her society. It is the story of the emancipation of this young girl, who will break her status as a woman, a poor, to become what she wants to be. A brilliant tale of personal fulfillment, which resonates throughout our modern society. The film distills an exciting heroic breath, offers precise and always right emotional springs. The era is perfectly transcribed, and this story of emancipation remains indispensable.
Here is our interview with Rémi Chayé:
A big thank you to Gebeka Films who agreed to meet us. Special thanks to Alexandre Chadha for the shooting. Photo credits: Alexandre Chadha Interview and editing by Aubin Bouillé. https://youtu.be/QVZSUFPfm8Y
