Genre: Animated/childrens/independent films
Age range: 8 years+
Runtime: Approx. 99 minutes
Azur & Asmar - Summary
Azur & Asmar is the story of two boys who are cared for by the same woman, Jénane. To Azur, the blond-haired blue-eyed son of a nobleman, she is Nanny; to Asmar, a dark-skinned and dark-eyed boy, she is Mama. The boys grow up as brothers, until one day when Azur's father sends him away with a tutor and cruelly throws Jénane and Asmar out of his house.
Azur does not know what happened to his beloved nurse and his brother, but he remembers the magical stories Nanny used to tell him about her country and the mystical Djinn Fairy -- an imprisoned fairy awaiting a prince who will rescue and marry her. Once Azur is old enough, he defies his father and sets sail across the sea to find and rescue the fairy.
When he finally reaches the land of his dreams, though, things are not as Azur expected. A foreigner in a strange new land, Azur is rejected by the people who believe his blue eyes will bring an unlucky curse. Azur is forced to travel as a blind beggar, but his other senses do not fail him. Azur is able to find the keys he needs to free the fairy, and he finds his beloved Jénane and Asmar.
As it turns out, the two young men who had once lived as brothers are on the same quest to free the Djinn Fairy. Armed with the knowledge and objects they need to find the fairy, both set out at the same time on the same journey, but only one prince can be victorious.
Azur & Asmar - Guide Review for Parents
Azur & Asmar tells an interesting story with complex characters and impressive animation. As I write these words, I realize that it has been a long time since I have truly been able to describe a children's or family movie as "interesting." Yes, kids' movies may be cute, funny, or have a good moral, but they are usually predictable and are often sequels or different versions of stories that have already been told. Azur & Asmar is different; I actually found myself fascinated, waiting to find out what would happen next. Kids will likely find the story incredibly fascinating as well, provided they are old enough to understand the film and deal with the many thematic elements presented throughout the movie.
The movie starts out with a scene showing Jénane breastfeeding the two baby boys. Her animated breast is fully visible. The movie also contains violence using weapons, and even a little blood. Some of these violent or otherwise perilous scenes may be scary for young children, and the part of the story where Azur's dad kicks Jénane and Asmar out of his house may also be unsettling for young kids. Themes in the story such as tolerance, acceptance, loyalty, and sacrifice may be beyond young children, but the ideas would be great discussion points for families with older children.
*For detailed examples of possibly offensive or scary material, please see the Content Overview below.
Azur & Asmar - Content Overview
The following lists a few of the most prominent examples of possibly offensive content in the movie (may contain spoilers):Violence (High for an animated film)
- Men with swords chase a little girl and young man. In one later sword fight, a young man is cut on the arm (a small amount of animated blood is shown.)
- Men with weapons try to catch two young men and make them slaves. One of the young men is stabbed with a knife (some animated blood is shown.)
Sex/Nudity (High)
- A women is shown breatsfeeding. Her animated breast is fully visible.
- A young man is shown without a shirt.
Language (Low)
- Two boys call each other names like "rat."
- A man describes a woman as "ugly as sin."
Alcohol/Drugs (None)
Bad/Disrespectful Behavior (High)
- A man kicks a women and young boy out of his home. He does not care that they have nothing and no where to go.
- One character in the movie constantly says negative things about the land he is in, and he spits after each utterance.
- People throw rocks and hit a man because they think his eyes are unlucky.
Scary Scenes (Medium)
- The scenes listed under violence may be a little scary for young children.
- A young man faces a large lion which roars loudly.
- A little girl is chased by bad men and must sneak out of a building and run away.
Sad/Unsettling Scenes (High)
- A boy is separated from the woman who has been a mother to him. His father kicks the woman and her son out.
- A young man is starving and begins to eat a dead animal.
- A young man is stabbed and talks of dying.
Azur & Asmar - Discuss the Movie
- After watching Azur & Asmar, children may have questions about the following topics: breastfeeding, superstition, beggars, intolerance, fairies and other magical creatures.
