Ludovic

Distributed by National Film Board of Canada, 1123 Broadway, Suite 307, New York, NY 10010; 800-542-2164Produced by National Film Board of Canada National Film Board of Canada, 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4820A film by Co Hoedeman2001, VHS, color, 12 min. Co Hoedeman is no stranger to children’s stories in film. The Sand Castle, produced in 1977, was awarded the Oscar. The Ludovic series revolve around a cuddly teddy bear named Ludovic and his adventures around his home and friends. In this latest film, Ludovic is invited to spend a couple of summer days with his grandfather. In just under 12 minutes, the film manages to explore the delicate subject of the death of a loved one and how children can react to this traumatic event. Ludovic’s grandmother has passed away, and grandpa has put all her things in her sitting room. Both of them are sad but it is the closeness of Ludovic to his grandfather that brings out the harmony between grandmother, grandson, and grandfather even though grandma is no longer there. A touching scene is Ludovic hugging grandma’s portrait, putting on her favorite music, and remembering her warm embrace from years past. This is a heart-warming story about the closeness of family, a small child, and grandfather who gradually accept the death of their loved one. Filled with compassion, understanding, and real-life imagery, the delicate subject of death is presented in a style that makes this film an excellent choice for grieving children. Using Ludovic, the teddy bear is a very good device since the warm embrace of a teddy bear has been important in childhoods both past and present. While death is real, a child’s memory of a loved one can be the difference between understanding, acceptance and the knowledge that even though a loved one may not be physically present, their memory lives on. Highly recommended for Pre-K to 3rd Grade.