Supported by a daring visual touch with strong acid lively colors , "Calamity" offers a subtle script that goes deeper than the simple hollow messages like "be yourself" that can be found in a lot of films aimed at children... Instead, "Calamity" shows the different levels of oppression in a society through the archetypes of the American West, with authority figures and victimes often taking turns, one becoming the other... Martha Jane/Calamity being the anomaly in the machine, subverting social codes : when the whole world is governed by codes and uniforms, why not go on your own code and invent your own personal identity ? This way, the film gives a strong empowering look on life and identities, a good message for girls and boys alike.

Calamity is definitely one of my favorites cartoons! The graphic style is unique and the story is beautiful! It looks like a moving painting! The message is great! it totally deserves its Annecy award!

After being left breathless by Wolfwalkers (2020-also reviewed) I decided to catch the final movie in the Manchester Animation Festival line-up. Curious over this being a French take of a Western, I got set to meet Calamity.

View on the film:

Revealing in the Q & A after the screening of wanting to build on the style of his 2015 feature film debut Long Way North, co-writer/(with Sandra Tosello & Fabrice de Costil) director Remi Chaye goes to the Wild West with a immaculate "Outline-less" style of animation, where the lack of said outline allows Calamity to become fully immersed in the bright blue skyline.

Backed by Jonathan Morali's shimmering score, the oil painting design gives the smooth hand-drawn animation a richness, with colours popping as Calamity rides into town via stealth, getting swept up in grainy browns across the rural outback, when Calamity's true identity is untangled.

Whilst based upon a number of biographies on Jane, the writers brilliantly hold back from doing a quick-draw of the legend, instead taking the cowboy boots off all the men who believe people should know their place. Janes thrillingly kicks back by cutting her hair and rebelling against all the cowboys who attempt to stop her gaining self-confidence and going against the grain in becoming the legendary Calamity Jane.