
Directing
Michel Ocelot
Born
1943-10-27 (82)
Place of birth
Villefranche-sur-Mer, French Riviera, France
Known for
Directing
Credits
52 titles
Michel Ocelot is a French writer, character designer, storyboard artist and director of animated films and television programs (formerly also animator, background artist, narrator and other roles in earlier works) and a former president of the International Animated Film Association. Though best known for his 1998 début feature Kirikou and the Sorceress, his earlier films and television work had already won Césars and British Academy Film Awards among others and he was made a chevalier of the Légion d'honneur on 23 October 2009, presented to him by Agnès Varda who had been promoted to commandeur earlier the same year. In 2015 he got the Lifetime Achievement Award at the World Festival of An…
Known for
7.7Raised on tales of a Djinn fairy princess, Azur, a young Frenchman goes to North Africa in search of the sprite, only to discover that his close childhood friend, Asmar, an Arab youth whose mother raised both boys also seeks the genie.
Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest
2006
7.4Drawn from elements of West African folk tales, it depicts how a newborn boy, Kirikou, saves his village from the evil witch Karaba.
Kirikou and the Sorceress
1998
6.6Kirikou's grandfather thinks that the story of Kirikou and The Witch was too short, so he proceeds to explain more about Kirikou's accomplishments. We find out how the little boy became a gardener, a detective, a maker of pottery, a merchant, a traveler and a doctor.
Kirikou and the Wild Beasts
2005
6.3The grandfather welcomes us into his blue grotto, there was still beautiful memories of childhood to tell Kirikou: the times when he helped the men and women of his village and elsewhere ... He tells us how Kirikou, thanks to his bravery and intelligence, came to the aid of the strong woman. He tells us by what trick the little hero found the grumpy old man, who had been lost in the bush, and how a cherry threatened by the witch was finally able to pass on his knowledge to the villagers. We also discover the secret of a mysterious blue monster, and finally through a flute linked to the family of our small and valiant heroes, the magical power of music.
Kirikou and the Men and Women
2012
7.3Six exotic fables, each unfold in a unique locale, from Tibet, to medieval Europe, an Aztec kingdom, the African plains, and even the Land of the Dead.
Tales of the Night
2011
7.7In this episodic animated fantasy from France, an art teacher interprets a series of six fairy tales (each involving a prince or princess) with the help of two precocious students. Princes and Princesses was created using a special style of cutout animation, with black silhouetted characters performing the action against backlit backdrops in striking colors.
Princes and Princesses
2000
Film credits
2020s · 2 titles
2010s · 3 titles
7.3Six exotic fables, each unfold in a unique locale, from Tibet, to medieval Europe, an Aztec kingdom, the African plains, and even the Land of the Dead.
Tales of the Night
2011
7.3Four tales about princesses and adventurers around the world: The Mistress of Monsters, The Wizard Student, The Ship's Boy and His Cat, and Ivan Tsarevitch and his changeable princess.
Ivan Tsarevitch and the Changing Princess
2016
7.0Five further stories from the French designer, writer and director Michel Ocelot: La Maîtresse des monstres, Le Pont du petit cordonnier, Le Mousse et sa chatte, L'Écolier sorcier, and Ivan Tsarévitch et la Princesse Changeante. This compilation movie has only been released in Japan.
Yoru no tobari no monogatari: Samenai yume
2013
2000s · 2 titles
6.9Studio Ghibli is Japan's most successful animation studio, with helmers Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away," "My Neighbor Totoro") and Isao Takahata ("Grave of The Fireflies," "The Tale of Princess Kaguya") creating a bonanza for producer/prexy Toshio Suzuki. Generously adorned with clips from their films and their influences, the docu follows Ghibli's arc from a mid-'60s rebellion against working conditions at Toei Co. to its present powerhouse position, complete with public fun park. All interviews are illuminating, but Miyazaki is teasingly confined to pic's tete-a-tete finale with esteemed French comic artist Jean "Moebius" Giraud. Meeting of the wizened European, whose imprint is on films from "Blade Runner" to "The Fifth Element," and the apparently relaxed Nipponese helmer makes an interesting contrast, and will be of special interest to Francophiles. All credits are impeccable
Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery
2005
6.7I told a story, Kirikou and the Sorceress, that reached a large number of people. It was the first time in my life. But this film was not my first one. I had also made short films, with a very limited distribution. Nobody saw them. I am lucky enough now to introduce them to you, to make these little mechanisms run again; they are the result of perseverance and passion. Besides the almost forgotten past, I have added a dance of today, which I conceived for Björk. Also something of the future, a post-scriptum to my film "Azur & Asmar". In addition to the films, I try to explain the happy magic of these bits of nothing which became my life. Michel Ocelot
The Hidden Treasures of Michel Ocelot
2008
1980s · 4 titles
9.0A fancy dress ball takes place in a strange palace. The host is unknown. The theme: "your idea of human representation”. During the course of this mysterious and rather frightening evening, each guest is transformed into his own character and the intrigue thickens.
After Midnight
1983
7.5A hard-working peasant begins his day by praising Saint Martin, who descends from the heavens and rewards him by granting him and his cruel, browbeating wife four wishes.
The Four Wishes of the Villein and of His Wife
1987
7.5In a white lace universe, three inventors create machines which are both pretty and useful. Unfortunately people do not understand them...
The Three Inventors
1980
7.8On her throne, a princess welcomes her suitors under the watchful eye of her family and the kingdom. Down below, amongst the crowd, struggles a poor hunchback.
The Legend of the Poor Hunchback
1982
Series credits
Behind the camera
7.7Raised on tales of a Djinn fairy princess, Azur, a young Frenchman goes to North Africa in search of the sprite, only to discover that his close childhood friend, Asmar, an Arab youth whose mother raised both boys also seeks the genie.
Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest
2006
7.7Raised on tales of a Djinn fairy princess, Azur, a young Frenchman goes to North Africa in search of the sprite, only to discover that his close childhood friend, Asmar, an Arab youth whose mother raised both boys also seeks the genie.
Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest
2006
7.7Raised on tales of a Djinn fairy princess, Azur, a young Frenchman goes to North Africa in search of the sprite, only to discover that his close childhood friend, Asmar, an Arab youth whose mother raised both boys also seeks the genie.
Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest
2006
7.4Drawn from elements of West African folk tales, it depicts how a newborn boy, Kirikou, saves his village from the evil witch Karaba.
Kirikou and the Sorceress
1998
7.4Drawn from elements of West African folk tales, it depicts how a newborn boy, Kirikou, saves his village from the evil witch Karaba.
Kirikou and the Sorceress
1998
7.4Drawn from elements of West African folk tales, it depicts how a newborn boy, Kirikou, saves his village from the evil witch Karaba.
Kirikou and the Sorceress
1998
6.6Kirikou's grandfather thinks that the story of Kirikou and The Witch was too short, so he proceeds to explain more about Kirikou's accomplishments. We find out how the little boy became a gardener, a detective, a maker of pottery, a merchant, a traveler and a doctor.
Kirikou and the Wild Beasts
2005
6.6Kirikou's grandfather thinks that the story of Kirikou and The Witch was too short, so he proceeds to explain more about Kirikou's accomplishments. We find out how the little boy became a gardener, a detective, a maker of pottery, a merchant, a traveler and a doctor.
Kirikou and the Wild Beasts
2005
6.3The grandfather welcomes us into his blue grotto, there was still beautiful memories of childhood to tell Kirikou: the times when he helped the men and women of his village and elsewhere ... He tells us how Kirikou, thanks to his bravery and intelligence, came to the aid of the strong woman. He tells us by what trick the little hero found the grumpy old man, who had been lost in the bush, and how a cherry threatened by the witch was finally able to pass on his knowledge to the villagers. We also discover the secret of a mysterious blue monster, and finally through a flute linked to the family of our small and valiant heroes, the magical power of music.
Kirikou and the Men and Women
2012
6.3The grandfather welcomes us into his blue grotto, there was still beautiful memories of childhood to tell Kirikou: the times when he helped the men and women of his village and elsewhere ... He tells us how Kirikou, thanks to his bravery and intelligence, came to the aid of the strong woman. He tells us by what trick the little hero found the grumpy old man, who had been lost in the bush, and how a cherry threatened by the witch was finally able to pass on his knowledge to the villagers. We also discover the secret of a mysterious blue monster, and finally through a flute linked to the family of our small and valiant heroes, the magical power of music.
Kirikou and the Men and Women
2012
6.3The grandfather welcomes us into his blue grotto, there was still beautiful memories of childhood to tell Kirikou: the times when he helped the men and women of his village and elsewhere ... He tells us how Kirikou, thanks to his bravery and intelligence, came to the aid of the strong woman. He tells us by what trick the little hero found the grumpy old man, who had been lost in the bush, and how a cherry threatened by the witch was finally able to pass on his knowledge to the villagers. We also discover the secret of a mysterious blue monster, and finally through a flute linked to the family of our small and valiant heroes, the magical power of music.
Kirikou and the Men and Women
2012
7.3Six exotic fables, each unfold in a unique locale, from Tibet, to medieval Europe, an Aztec kingdom, the African plains, and even the Land of the Dead.
Tales of the Night
2011
7.3Six exotic fables, each unfold in a unique locale, from Tibet, to medieval Europe, an Aztec kingdom, the African plains, and even the Land of the Dead.
Tales of the Night
2011
7.3Six exotic fables, each unfold in a unique locale, from Tibet, to medieval Europe, an Aztec kingdom, the African plains, and even the Land of the Dead.
Tales of the Night
2011
7.7In this episodic animated fantasy from France, an art teacher interprets a series of six fairy tales (each involving a prince or princess) with the help of two precocious students. Princes and Princesses was created using a special style of cutout animation, with black silhouetted characters performing the action against backlit backdrops in striking colors.
Princes and Princesses
2000
7.7In this episodic animated fantasy from France, an art teacher interprets a series of six fairy tales (each involving a prince or princess) with the help of two precocious students. Princes and Princesses was created using a special style of cutout animation, with black silhouetted characters performing the action against backlit backdrops in striking colors.
Princes and Princesses
2000
7.7In this episodic animated fantasy from France, an art teacher interprets a series of six fairy tales (each involving a prince or princess) with the help of two precocious students. Princes and Princesses was created using a special style of cutout animation, with black silhouetted characters performing the action against backlit backdrops in striking colors.
Princes and Princesses
2000
6.6With the help of her delivery-boy friend, Dilili, a young Kanak, investigates a spate of mysterious kidnappings of young girls that is plaguing Belle Epoque Paris. In the course of her investigation she encounters a series of extraordinary characters, each of whom provides her with clues that will help her in her quest.
Dilili in Paris
2018
6.6With the help of her delivery-boy friend, Dilili, a young Kanak, investigates a spate of mysterious kidnappings of young girls that is plaguing Belle Epoque Paris. In the course of her investigation she encounters a series of extraordinary characters, each of whom provides her with clues that will help her in her quest.
Dilili in Paris
2018
6.2Three tales, three ages, three worlds. At the time of Ancient Egypt, a young king becomes the first black pharaoh to deserve the hand of his loved one. During the French Middle Ages, a mysterious wild boy steals from the rich to give to the poor. In 18th-century Turkey, a prince of pastries and a princess of roses escape the palace to live their love.
The Black Pharaoh, the Savage and the Princess
2022
6.2Three tales, three ages, three worlds. At the time of Ancient Egypt, a young king becomes the first black pharaoh to deserve the hand of his loved one. During the French Middle Ages, a mysterious wild boy steals from the rich to give to the poor. In 18th-century Turkey, a prince of pastries and a princess of roses escape the palace to live their love.
The Black Pharaoh, the Savage and the Princess
2022
8.0No synopsis available yet.
The Wedding Guest
2008
8.0No synopsis available yet.
The Wedding Guest
2008
NRThe story of Icarus, son of Dedalus, imprisoned in the labyrinth, but with a twist...
Icare
1989
7.3Four tales about princesses and adventurers around the world: The Mistress of Monsters, The Wizard Student, The Ship's Boy and His Cat, and Ivan Tsarevitch and his changeable princess.
Ivan Tsarevitch and the Changing Princess
2016
7.3Four tales about princesses and adventurers around the world: The Mistress of Monsters, The Wizard Student, The Ship's Boy and His Cat, and Ivan Tsarevitch and his changeable princess.
Ivan Tsarevitch and the Changing Princess
2016
7.3Four tales about princesses and adventurers around the world: The Mistress of Monsters, The Wizard Student, The Ship's Boy and His Cat, and Ivan Tsarevitch and his changeable princess.
Ivan Tsarevitch and the Changing Princess
2016
5.7Not to be confused with Ocelot's 2011 feature film, Tales of the Night is a made for TV silhouette animation. It is a compilation of 3 fairy tale like stories, bridged by sequences of a boy and girl in an abandoned theater.
Tales of the Night
1992
5.7Not to be confused with Ocelot's 2011 feature film, Tales of the Night is a made for TV silhouette animation. It is a compilation of 3 fairy tale like stories, bridged by sequences of a boy and girl in an abandoned theater.
Tales of the Night
1992
5.7Not to be confused with Ocelot's 2011 feature film, Tales of the Night is a made for TV silhouette animation. It is a compilation of 3 fairy tale like stories, bridged by sequences of a boy and girl in an abandoned theater.
Tales of the Night
1992
NRTo free a princess from the tyrannical yoke of a Regent, a boy must overcome the infernal ordeal of the Three-Eared Rabbits, multicolored and music-loving creatures from whom much can be obtained simply by whistling certain tunes to them…
The Three-Eared Rabbits
2026
NRTo free a princess from the tyrannical yoke of a Regent, a boy must overcome the infernal ordeal of the Three-Eared Rabbits, multicolored and music-loving creatures from whom much can be obtained simply by whistling certain tunes to them…
The Three-Eared Rabbits
2026
7.0Here we have an innocent boy, a pretty princess, a treacherous merchant and a giant eagle who is fond of jewels. The tale is set in the country of the Arabian Nights, under a hail of precious stones...
The Prince of Jewels
1992
7.0Here we have an innocent boy, a pretty princess, a treacherous merchant and a giant eagle who is fond of jewels. The tale is set in the country of the Arabian Nights, under a hail of precious stones...
The Prince of Jewels
1992
6.7"I am ugly, I am alone, I am bored". In three seconds, everything will change...
The Maid and the Magician
1992
6.7"I am ugly, I am alone, I am bored". In three seconds, everything will change...
The Maid and the Magician
1992
6.7I told a story, Kirikou and the Sorceress, that reached a large number of people. It was the first time in my life. But this film was not my first one. I had also made short films, with a very limited distribution. Nobody saw them. I am lucky enough now to introduce them to you, to make these little mechanisms run again; they are the result of perseverance and passion. Besides the almost forgotten past, I have added a dance of today, which I conceived for Björk. Also something of the future, a post-scriptum to my film "Azur & Asmar". In addition to the films, I try to explain the happy magic of these bits of nothing which became my life. Michel Ocelot
The Hidden Treasures of Michel Ocelot
2008
6.7I told a story, Kirikou and the Sorceress, that reached a large number of people. It was the first time in my life. But this film was not my first one. I had also made short films, with a very limited distribution. Nobody saw them. I am lucky enough now to introduce them to you, to make these little mechanisms run again; they are the result of perseverance and passion. Besides the almost forgotten past, I have added a dance of today, which I conceived for Björk. Also something of the future, a post-scriptum to my film "Azur & Asmar". In addition to the films, I try to explain the happy magic of these bits of nothing which became my life. Michel Ocelot
The Hidden Treasures of Michel Ocelot
2008
6.7I told a story, Kirikou and the Sorceress, that reached a large number of people. It was the first time in my life. But this film was not my first one. I had also made short films, with a very limited distribution. Nobody saw them. I am lucky enough now to introduce them to you, to make these little mechanisms run again; they are the result of perseverance and passion. Besides the almost forgotten past, I have added a dance of today, which I conceived for Björk. Also something of the future, a post-scriptum to my film "Azur & Asmar". In addition to the films, I try to explain the happy magic of these bits of nothing which became my life. Michel Ocelot
The Hidden Treasures of Michel Ocelot
2008
6.5A princess is held by a curse in a secret place. You know you're getting close when you find diamonds in the grass. But all the princes who tried to free her disappeared without a trace...
The Princess of Diamonds
2000



