Frédéric Buck (April 8, 1924 – December 24, 2013) was a prominent Canadian animator, director, writer and producer whose work has left an indelible mark on the history of animation. Born in Saarbrücken, Germany, he and his family moved to Strasbourg and then to Paris, where he studied at École Estienne, an art school. In 1948, Buck moved to Canada, where he began working for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Radio-Canada), creating titles and visual effects for television programs.
In 1967, Buck created the stained glass window “History of Music in Montreal” for the Place-des-Arts subway station in Montreal. He also left a significant mark in animation, gaining recognition for his works such as Crac! (1982) and The Man Who Planted Trees (1987). These short films won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature. Buck became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1990 and was knighted into the National Order of Quebec in 1989.
The Man Who Planted Trees (L’Homme qui plantait des arbres) is one of Frédéric Buck’s most famous and significant animated films, which was released in 1987. Based on Jean Giono’s short animated film of the same name, it tells the story of a man named Elysee who, despite his loneliness and poverty, planted trees for several decades in an abandoned and desiccated valley in southeastern France.
The film is about the incredible power of perseverance and faith in the future, a theme central to Buck’s work. In this work, he explores issues of ecology and man’s connection to nature, showing how one person can change the world through dedication. The theme of restoring nature through the efforts of individuals is still very relevant today, which makes Buck’s film especially meaningful.
This animated film has become one of the most successful and recognized works in Frederic Buck’s career. While recognizing the importance of Frederic Buck’s work in animation, audiences and critics alike have noted his ability to convey complex ideas and emotions through simple yet powerful visuals.
The Man Who Planted Trees also has a significant influence on environmental themes in art because Buck was able to convey the importance of protecting the environment and how each of us can contribute to it, even on the smallest of scales. The film continues to inspire work to restore nature and preserve ecosystems, making it one of the most important works in the genre of animation with an environmental message.
His work continues to inspire animators and artists around the world, and his contributions to Canadian and world animation remain unrivaled. Frédéric Buck passed away on December 24, 2013 in Montreal, leaving a legacy that continues to influence the development of animation art and culture.