Ernest & Célestine

Celestine, a young mouse, lives in the underground world of rodents. Her caretaker, the Gray One, fills her mind with terrifying stories about the bears that exist above ground, which she struggles to fully believe.

Despite her passion for art, Celestine finds herself bound by the expectations of her society to pursue a career in dentistry. This burden pushes her to embark on an unexpected adventure above ground.

Celestine ventures above ground to fulfill her duty of collecting lost teeth from sleeping bear cubs. She navigates the dangerous terrain, motivated by her artistic dreams but solemnly aware of the risks involved.

While on her quest, Celestine is discovered by a bear family. Cornered in a trash can, she faces a night of fear as she contemplates her fate.

The next day, a hungry grizzly bear named Ernest finds Celestine trapped. Instead of eating her, Celestine cleverly convinces him to spare her in exchange for her help in breaking into a candy shop.

The duo's candy shop heist goes awry when Ernest is captured by the shopkeeper. Celestine, leveraging her tooth collection, strikes a deal to help rescue him from the police wagon.

To save Ernest, Celestine agrees to aid him in robbing the dentist's office of the shopkeeper's wife. What begins as a simple operation quickly turns chaotic as they are pursued by authorities.

In a burst of courage, Celestine and Ernest commandeer a van to escape. They make their way to Ernest's secluded cabin, forming a tenuous bond despite initial reluctance.

As they spend time together, Celestine and Ernest discover a shared love for art and storytelling. They learn about each other's struggles, including Ernest's desire to become an entertainer against his family's wishes.

The duo enjoys a blissful winter together, but their happiness is shadowed by the news of a manhunt for them. Reports of civil unrest among their respective societies further complicate their newfound peace.

As spring arrives, both Celestine and Ernest face trials—one for the rodents and the other for the bears. They speak out against systemic injustices in their communities, challenging the judges in their hearings.

During the tense trials, a fire erupts in the courthouse, causing panic. In a moment of bravery, Celestine and Ernest stay behind to save their judges, showcasing their selflessness.

Confronted with their failures, the judges drop all charges against Celestine and Ernest. They are awestruck by the duo's selflessness, agreeing to allow them to remain together despite societal expectations.

Now back at Ernest's cabin, the pair are free to explore their artistic ambitions together. They decide to create a whimsical book about their extraordinary friendship, blending truth with imagination.