Mr. Pascal (1979)

An old cobbler is sitting pensively outside a church reminiscing about his youth, his wife and child and his days relentlessly knocking nails into shoes. He then glances at a crucifix and decides to release the man from his cross. Quickly returning home to fetch some Band Aids, pyjamas, bread and wine he returns and dresses his newly emancipated friend using his crown of thorns to start a cosy fire. As they sit together, a collection of people pass by their huddle and share in their undiminishing feast before morning presents the gent with an altogether different, but benign, reality. I liked the stylish sketch-style of animation here; the slightly out of synch audio as he runs as if he were a millipede and the simple message mixes hope, respect and fun together with plenty of wine before offering us quite a poignant observation of what man’s humanity to man rather than it’s more frequently illustrated opposite might do for us. Not even ten minutes and worth a watch.