based near Paimpol, Jean-Paul Lemouland is a specialist in animated films

Jean-Pierre Lemoulandcreator of the JPL production house in Rennes, now lives in Ploubazanec (Côtes-d’Armor). With his company he lived the evolution of animated films in Franceand notably produces the films of Jean-François Laguioni.

Friday January 3, he was at the Breiz cinema for the screening of the film A Guitar in the Sea, directed by Sophie Roze and produced by her company JPL. Meeting with one of the architects of the rebirth of French animated films…

Behind the American or Japanese “big teams”

For a long time, the flagship of French animated cinema was the masterpiece of Paul Grimault The King and the Bird released in 1980… But France remained far behind the American or Japanese “big teams” in the field:

However, animated films were born in France before the birth of Lumière cinema. And the magic lanterns of the 17th century were its ancestors.

The King and the Bird will be a form of trigger for many enthusiasts. “This film is the beginning of modernization. But there is also the arrival of a great man at the Ministry of Culture, Jack Langinitiator of a real revolution.”

He explains that upon his arrival, the new Minister decided on an ambitious cultural policy, created the Music Festival and injected money into all areas, including animated films.

Under his leadership, the city of Angoulême became a reference center for comics and animation. “It’s the beginning of a real animated film industry. And the Rennais rushes into the wave, he, the musician.

Technical revolution

Jean-Pierre Lemouland will experience both the revolution in mentalities and that of technical means.

In the 80s, I met filmmakers who worked with modeling clay. And, thanks to everything that Jack Lang has put in place to create teams all over France, I am learning the industry.

It’s a prosperous period for culture and animated cinema. Young people are growing up with new “made in France” series like Sunken Worlds.

In the 1990s, Jean-Paul Lemouland returned to Rennes, to his land, where he created the production house JPL Films on July 14, 1995: “We produce 90% of animated films (short films, series, magazines, feature films). Notably those of Jean-François Laguionie, author of Louise en Hiver and the last, awarded at Cannes, which will be released in January: Slocum and Moi.

Meeting with great actors

Jean-Paul Lemouland also follows the technical revolution with the arrival of computing which offers an infinite number of possibilities and marriages. This is how he meets Sophie Roze, director of Une Guitar at the Seawhich JPL Films produces.

But also big players like François Morel, Yolande Moreau or Grégory Gadebois, film actors very open to new projects, whose humanity shines through in the films they dub.

Today, Jean-Paul Lemouland has left the reins of JPL Films and has planted seeds since his son Quentin, known as Tino, is a puppeteer for the cinema.

He nevertheless continues to go through life as a lover of all forms of culture.

François Cabioc’h, correspondent

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.