Belle and Sebastien: Friends for Life

Belle and Sebastien: Friends for Life is a 2018 French adventure drama film directed by Clovis Cornillac. It was based on the 1966 French novel Belle et Sébastien by Cécile Aubry, which in turn was based on the 1965 French TV series. The film is the last of a trilogy, as the first film adventure Belle and Sebastian, was released in 2013, and the second film being Belle & Sebastian: The Adventure Continues, released in 2015.

Cast

Félix Bossuet as Sébastien
Tchéky Karyo as César
Clovis Cornillac as Joseph
Thierry Neuvic as Pierre
Margaux Châtelier as Angélina
André Penvern as Urbain
Anne Benoît as Madeleine
Lilou Fogli as Lisa
Naëlle Thomas as Marie

Production

Filming began in January 2017 in the Briançonnais. It then moved to Haute-Maurienne, particularly in the communes of Bessans and Bonneval-sur-Arc. In April 2017, filming took place at the Aéroport de Dole, located near Gevry.

Critical reception

The Sydney Morning Herald Sandra Hall gave the film 3.5 stars, noting: "Schmaltzy or not, I was totally charmed." BMA Magazine John P Harvey gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, praising the "mpeccable performances" and heart-warming story. Stuff's James Croot wrote that despite the unoriginal narrative, the film offered "some impressive visuals of gorgeous snow-laden vistas, plenty of outdoor action".