Chouk and Pop

It’s summer and the day is rising. Chouk, the clumsy hedgehog, and Pop, the lively frog, are enjoying the green grass when they see a pretty red balloon coming their way. They both hop to catch it. The little hedgehog gets there first. Innocent and delighted, he squeezes it between his little paws, forgetting about his quills, and BANG, the balloon bursts! Oohhh… How sad… The two friends are heartbroken. All they have left is a tiny string, which a cheeky bird steals from them. They run after it when it lands on a roof. From the window, they think they can see other balloons. How about going inside? They enter a strange place filled with unfamiliar colours and smells. Like little children before they start school, Chouk and Pop must overcome their fear to enjoy the adventure and set off in search of their lost balloon. For Chouk and Pop, this marks the beginning of a great poetic and incredible adventure.

Director’s statement
During the first lockdown in spring 2020, when the local school closed and the town became silent, I imagined neighbouring animals visiting the school while it was empty. A film project was born. An entertaining, funny film with a poetic side
to the objects. The story refers to the world familiar to children: that of school. An affectionate view of school. Everything is enthusiasm and adventure. Everything becomes a game.
The smallest details of a child’s daily life at school are seen in a new light. Everything is wonderful: the benches, the blackboard, the sink, the glue sticks, the gym bags, the lunch boxes, the sticky paper, the corner with cushions and books, the radiator,
the coat racks… The animals transform the use of the scholar equipment in a funny, comical, poetic, anachronistic and absurd way, creating a joyful mess. The animals’ explorations turn
the children’s everyday lives into incredible discoveries, seen in an extraordinary and funny light.