Charles 2017
In this hauntingly poetic animated short from 2017, filmmaker Dominic-Étienne Simard crafts a deeply moving portrait of childhood isolation and resilience through the eyes of Charles, a young boy struggling under the weight of his mother's obesity an...
Director: Dominic-Étienne Simard
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Charles (2017) about?
Charles is an 11-minute animated short about a young boy who shoulders the burden of caring for his obese mother while facing relentless bullying at school. To escape his harsh reality, he retreats into a dream world filled with frogs, who become his only confidants as his situation grows increasingly difficult.
Who directed Charles?
Charles was directed by Dominic-Étienne Simard, a filmmaker known for his evocative and visually striking animated works that explore deep emotional themes.
Who stars in Charles?
Cast details for Charles are not listed publicly, but the film's protagonist is voiced by an unknown actor whose performance carries the weight of the story.
Is Charles (2017) worth watching?
As an animated short, Charles offers a raw and touching exploration of childhood struggles, delivered with minimal dialogue and maximum emotional impact. While unrated on IMDb, its artistic merit and thematic depth make it a compelling watch for fans of animation and indie films who appreciate poignant storytelling.
How long is Charles?
Charles has a runtime of 11 minutes.
About Charles (2017) — A Boy, His Mother, and a World of Frogs in Animation
In this hauntingly poetic animated short from 2017, filmmaker Dominic-Étienne Simard crafts a deeply moving portrait of childhood isolation and resilience through the eyes of Charles, a young boy struggling under the weight of his mother's obesity and the cruel laughter of his classmates. His only refuge lies in a surreal, frog-filled dream world, where these unlikely companions offer solace amid the escalating hardships that loom over his fragile reality. The film's striking visual style and emotional depth make Charles a standout in the animation genre, blending stark realism with fantastical escapism to explore themes of loneliness, coping mechanisms, and the fragile boundary between reality and imagination.
Charles (2017) is a compact yet profound 11-minute experience that lingers long after the credits roll, using minimal dialogue and maximum visual storytelling to convey its message. Simard's direction lends a quiet intensity to the narrative, while Charles' inner world—populated by frogs—serves as a metaphor for both his vulnerability and his quiet strength. The film's atmosphere is one of melancholic beauty, capturing the bittersweet essence of growing up in a world that often feels indifferent.