Day, night, day, night … what is more fun than playing with light? The simplest games are often the best! At first intrigued and then astounded by the artificial light from an abandoned torch, a curious and enterprising raccoon gets caught up in his game and begins exploring the forest with his new discovery. The way the animal waves the light beam amid all the vegetation makes it serve as a kind of spotlight, highlighting the details of bountiful nocturnal life. Like a frame within the image, this beam lets us get a close look at the micro-events of wildlife. This attention to the natural ecosystem is enhanced by the importance given to sounds. The meticulous work on sound effects makes clear the rich sound of the forest, which, despite the night, doesn't seem so sleepy: ants, crickets, butterflies, the flow of a stream, and the hooting of an owl — everything is alive!
This nocturnal outing also gives our raccoon friend a chance to experience the magic of light and shadows! While the animal takes refuge in a tree trunk, he unknowingly recreates a real shadow theatre, experimenting in the wooden cavity with the principle of projection. The raccoon is so entertained by his discovery and so impressed by what he learns that he doesn’t hesitate to carry on experimenting with these wonderful visual effects. He may well continue exploring into the early hours, so long as the batteries last ...
