Kirikou and the Men and Women

Kirikou and the Men and Women (2012) is an animated feature you can watch online on iFILM — Michel Ocelot's third film about the tiny, fearless West African boy Kirikou. This time the grandfather settles into his blue grotto and shares five fresh stories from the little hero's childhood.

Kirikou is barely the size of a hand, yet he outthinks every grown-up around him. In one tale he comes to the aid of a powerful woman; in another he uses a clever trick to find a grumpy old man lost in the bush. He saves a potter from the spells of the sorceress Karaba, uncovers the secret of a strange blue monster, and the final story turns on a magic flute and the way music binds a whole family together. Each segment stands on its own, which makes the film easy to watch even with very young kids.

Ocelot works in his signature flat, hand-drawn style, full of bold silhouettes and patterns rooted in West African folklore. It's gentle, unhurried storytelling with no violence or chases — the kind where wit and kindness win the day. A lovely pick for family viewing. Stream Kirikou and the Men and Women online on iFILM.