Your Friend the Rat 2007

In the opening sequence, Remy introduces himself and his brother Emile to the audience, speaking on behalf of oppressed rats everywhere. The mood is both playful and earnest as one learns that these two narrators are here to share their side of the story with a curious, if sometimes skeptical, human world. A scroll appears, and the scene shifts into a two-dimensional animation that playfully contrasts the age-old relationship between humans and rats with our familiar views of dogs and cats. This visual hinge sets the stage for a broader exploration of how rats have historically been seen and treated, inviting viewers to reconsider old assumptions rather than simply record them.

The narration invites a broad sweep of history, with Remy pointing out that humans have long carried a mix of superstition and reverence toward rats. He notes that in some parts of the world, rats were once regarded as sacred and lucky—such as their symbolic role in Indian traditions tied to the transport of a major Hindu deity. He also recalls ancient beliefs about luck tied to different rat colors, like the white rat supposedly bringing good fortune and the black rat associated with bad luck when crossing paths. The aim here is not to condemn but to remind viewers of the complex, sometimes contradictory ways humans have related to these creatures through the ages.

A deeper dive follows, focusing on the two main rat species and their historical footprints. Remy explains that the black rat (Rattus rattus) has long carried with it a dark association with disease, particularly the Black Death, even as the real culprit was fleas. This leads to a broader historical note that roughly one third of Europe’s population perished, a crisis that also claimed countless rats in the public imagination. The brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is introduced with a more nuanced line of history, including its role in the era’s upheavals and its honorable nod in the Chinese zodiac. Through these historical sketches, the special frames a narrative about resilience, ingenuity, and the evolving bond between people and rats across centuries.

A pivotal moment arrives with a second appearance of the narrator duo, now in 3D animation. Emile pulls a scroll and pivots to a rich, mixed-media presentation that uses 2D animation to illustrate the various ways rats have interacted with humans. The segment highlights notable examples—ranging from a famous rat catcher associated with the Victorian era to the idea that some captured rats were kept as pets—illustrating the uneasy but undeniable proximity between humans and rats in everyday life. The tandem presentation underscores a broader theme: rats can be both useful to humans and beloved as companions, depending on the context and perspective.

The discussion then touches on practical roles rats have played in the modern world. The narrative points to their use in laboratories for scientific research and, on a lighter note, their presence as pets in households, highlighting both sides of the coin in the human-rat relationship. The playful yet thoughtful tone of the piece shows how these creatures have been part of human life for long stretches of time, sometimes as subjects of fear and at other times as partners in curiosity and innovation.

To punctuate the message, the performers sing a song about the relationship between rats and humans—Plan B—a melodic interlude that reinforces the theme of finding a new way forward together. The tune serves as a bridge between historical anecdotes and contemporary possibilities, inviting listeners to rethink what it means for rats and people to share a space.

In the closing moments, Remy asks a hopeful question: can rats and humans learn to coexist peacefully? The moment is interrupted by a long, satirical disclaimer that urges children to stay away from rats. Undeterred, Remy and Emile stand before the disclaimer, trying to pull it down while challenging the message about censorship and the limits placed on speech, all while quietly noting the practical reality of food scarcity and the stubborn hunger that motivates many of these conversations. The ending leaves audiences with a sense of resilience and a call to reexamine the boundaries that separate fear from friendship.