Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those films that deserves more attention than it gets. It's visually stunning, culturally significant, and tackles prejudice in a way that's sophisticated but accessible for elementary-age kids.

The catch? It's nearly 20 years old, it's French, and it moves at a European pace. If your kid is used to the rapid-fire editing and constant jokes of modern American animation, they might find this slow. But if they can settle into it, there's real magic here—both in the fairy tale sense and in the 'expanding your worldview' sense.

The film's central conceit—two boys who look different but were raised as brothers, now navigating a world that sees them as fundamentally other—is handled with surprising nuance. It's not preachy, but it's not subtle either. You're going to have conversations afterward, which is kind of the point.

Worth seeking out if you want something genuinely different from the Disney/Pixar/DreamWorks rotation, but know that you're signing up for a slower, more contemplative experience. This is enrichment viewing, not background noise.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-12 who can handle mild fantasy peril and are ready for thoughtful conversations about prejudice and cultural difference. The European animation style and deliberate pacing may not hold younger or action-obsessed kids, but the right audience will find it enchanting and meaningful.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

This French animated film centers on two boys raised as brothers—one European, one Arab—who maintain their bond despite cultural tensions. The story explicitly promotes cooperation, mutual respect, and overcoming prejudice. The narrative arc emphasizes working together rather than competing, with both 'princes' ultimately succeeding. The film models kindness across cultural divides and features a nurturing mother figure who raises both boys equally. Pacing is deliberate rather than frenetic, typical of European animation.

Imaginative

88

The film creates a visually stunning fantasy world blending European fairy tale traditions with Middle Eastern/North African mythology, featuring the Djinn-fairy and magical landscapes. The animation style itself is distinctive and artistic, using a unique aesthetic that stands apart from typical Disney/Pixar fare. The quest structure invites viewers into an exotic, unfamiliar world filled with enchantment. The cultural fusion itself is imaginative—taking familiar Western fairy tale tropes and recontextualizing them. Letterboxd's 4.3/5 and strong critical reception (80% RT) suggest audiences found it visually and narratively compelling.

Safe

78

Common Sense Media rates it for age 7, suggesting some mild adventure peril typical of quest narratives. As a PG-equivalent family animation from 2006, it likely contains standard fantasy danger (magical creatures, journey obstacles) but nothing graphic or traumatizing. No indication of inappropriate content, though the quest structure means there are probably some tense moments. The film deals with prejudice thematically, which could prompt questions but isn't unsafe—it's actually addressing bias head-on. No surprise violence, gore, or inappropriate content for the genre.

Enriching

85

This is explicitly a film about cultural understanding, prejudice, and brotherhood across ethnic lines—released in 2006 France when these themes were particularly resonant. It exposes Western audiences to Middle Eastern/North African aesthetics, mythology, and perspectives rarely centered in children's animation. The parallel protagonists (one blonde European, one dark-skinned Arab) force viewers to question assumptions about heroes and 'otherness.' The quest structure provides classic character development. Strong critical reception suggests meaningful storytelling beyond just entertainment. This is the kind of film that can genuinely expand a child's worldview.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely tackles prejudice and cultural difference in a way that's accessible for kids—the two protagonists literally look at each other and see 'other' until they don't
Visually gorgeous with a distinctive animation style that blends European and Middle Eastern aesthetics; this isn't your standard Pixar look
Exposes kids to North African/Arab culture, mythology, and perspectives rarely centered in Western children's media
Strong critical reception (80% RT critics, 82% audience, 7.4 IMDb) suggests it's actually good, not just worthy
The quest structure and fairy tale framework make heavy themes digestible for elementary-age kids

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What to Watch For

This is French animation from 2006, so expect a slower, more deliberate pace than modern American cartoons—some kids may find it boring
The film explicitly addresses prejudice and discrimination, which is great but means you'll want to be ready for questions about why people treat others differently based on appearance
Some mild adventure peril typical of quest stories (Common Sense says age 7+)
May be hard to find streaming—this isn't on every platform

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think people in the story treated Asmar and Azur differently even though they were raised as brothers?"
"Which parts of the magical land reminded you of stories you already know, and which parts felt totally new?"
"The movie shows two different cultures—what did you notice about how they were similar or different?"
"Both boys wanted to save the Djinn-fairy. How did they decide to work together instead of competing?"

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Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest