There are two main characters: the grounds keeper, whose name is Jacques (found in the artists' comments description), and the soldier, who is Henri. These two men have similarities. Both were French soldiers who earned medals after serving in WWI. Both were married to women they truly loved. Both are also trapped in a place and time (the past battle that changed their lives). The differences between the two men are many. Jacques, who is alive, is mourning his past love who died during the invasion of the village. He is haunted by the past, and cannot even leave the cemetery without nightmare reminders of the past. He earned a common medal, "Medaillle Interalliee 1914-1918,"- a medal given to all members of armed forces who served for a minimum of 3 months during WWI. It is a medal to celebrate victory among the Allies after the war ended. He cares for the cemetery and drinks at night. Henri is completely opposite of Jacques. Henri, who has died, wears the "Croix de guerre 1914-1918" (War Cross). This medal is awarded for heroic and valiant service during WWI. It is among the top 5 or 6 medals of honor that France bestows. Henri also bears three silver stars (etoile d'argent)- which means he has earned this very high award a total of four times. Henri is brave, and near the end, shows Jacques how to be brave to overcome the enemy. Henri was a member of the 2nd Army (a “seconde” chance reference), which served defending the Ardennes. They were defeated by the Germans in a battle where they were vastly outnumbered. Essentially, it was a battle that was doomed, just like at the end when Henri attempts to leave the cemetery. But Henri's bravery allows him to engage the insurmountable, despite his own peril. The "Seconde Chance," is truly for the grounds keeper, Jacques. Henri has a facial expression of release when he sees that Jacques is taking the step towards rescuing the letter to deliver to the beloved wife of Henri. One could think that the "seconde chance" is for Henri's wife, or even Henri himself, though I think so much was focused on the ground keeper with his fear and remaining in the past, that I believe the storytellers meant this for him. Henri's wife is of course a beneficiary to the "second chance," as she receives the letter of "good bye" from Henri, is able to stop mourning, and move on to happiness with a new companion. The final scene is Jacques's facial expression as he witnesses Henri’s beloved find happiness. He has arrived at a new place in life where his brave action has caused a profound better life for someone else. Watch to the end during the final credits to see the artists' drawings of the final scenes. The cat is the omniscient, benevolent, third party observer. The cat gently guides the characters toward the path of resolution. Link to another amazing French WWI short: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hdp8iZNoyZ2qgY0.html

Lately, ESMA has been touching my heart. All the depth and hidden meanings shown by ESMA.

Pfouh... Je regarde tous les "ESMA". Hé ben y'en a qui prennent aux tripes. J'en ai pour un bon quart d'heure à récupérer de celui-ci. Superbe.

Coincidentally I am watching an old BBC (1960's) series about the First World War. So many French men were lost, so very many. No second chance for them. Thankyou for this. So moving.

Beautiful! Touches the heart.

Mamma mia che bello!!! Mi sono commossa.😢😢😢👍👍👍👍👍

Wonderfully done, beautifully drawn and painted. Thank you!

O my......so heart touching. Really went to the depth of the soul.

Très beau et beaucoup de délicatesse. Bravo !

Vos vidéos sont toujours aussi belle...

adorable comme toujours

Bon ben voilà, j'ai versé ma petite larme... Très beau court-métrage !!

Beau travail a l"équipe d'animation, le travail est super bien réalisé, surtout le passage ou il écrit sa lettre, ça a pas du être facile d'avoir un rendu naturel.

This is really beautiful. Chapeau to you.

This is so touching... what an emotional story!

Heart Touching Story!! every sequence & frame is meaningful... Great Works Esma :* :*

Superbe, vraiment, bravo l'equipe

Cette histoire me touche d'autant plus qu'il porte le même nom que le mien. Et je trouve ça, une belle coïncidence.

Beautiful , touching the very ❤️

Well done! Hauntingly beautiful! Moving! The musical score was impressive as well!

Remplie d émotion.. c'est vraiment très beau..

Beautiful!!!

Спасибо!

L'un de mes préférées aussi, les jeux de lumières sont très agréables, merci

Your collection have their unique n such a depth of moral value. Love them all!🌷

Super, beaucoup d'émotions. L'équipe a bien travaillé. Bravo

So beautiful

Tout est SUBLIME dans cette chaîne KZfaq. Encore merci d'exister..

Absolument merveilleux

Magnifique

Incroyable comme toujours

BRAVO!!!

Très émouvant

Thank you

très beau ça touche le cœur , merci

Beautiful and heartwarming. A job well done ESMA. (Traduction) Beau et re'confortant. Un travail bien fait ESMA.

So great and touching! :)) But where is Groovity? I've been waiting for so long!

Beautiful vidio😭👍

Such a touching story...

Superbe ☺

Grate channel💙💙💙

Прекрасно!

Thank-you very much*

Amazing

Excellent travail !

Excellent ! 🌹

Superb...

sooo heart touching story😢

Magnifique! Pourquoi ce genre de dessin animé n'est pas diffusé a la télé? C'est quand même mieux que d'être abreuvé de disney!

Самые прелестные у вас анимационные фильмы)

والله روعة أرجو الاستمرار بنشر الفيديوهات bravooo 👍🏼😍😍😘

Simplemente bellisimo!

Gracias 😉😉😉😉😉

Esma cool

Bello. Merci

Adorable

Be nice if that could happen. Loved it

Todos los videos son muy hermosos te hacen ver la vida diferete felicitaciones ESMA Movies

AH YES ! mon préféré ❤

C'est beau

Very good, entertaining

世间最让人动容的就是爱

How touching

Triste. .malinconico...ma bellissimo cortometraggio. ..

Superbe, j'ai été émue.

Très belle vidéo et triste en même temps

Très bon travail, encore une fois j'adore. Bravo à toute l'équipe

at 4:37 it says john cena on the tombstone to the right of the gate. quality content!

Om stil van te worden ,zo een mooi verhaal.

Robisz świetne filmiki.🎥🎥😊❤

Finaly released :)

vraiment très triste cette amination et j'ai bien aimé comme une histoire et vous j'ai abonné bisou ♥♥♥

Triste 😪

J'ai bien pris le temps de lire sa lettre, c'est adorable je trouve comme message et touchant

Muito Bom 🤗

Terharu aku.. baik sekalii.. 👍❤

Cool

l like the lighting

Beaucoup d'émotions sur les visages.

hermosa y triste historia....

Tellement triste 😭😭😭

Unfinished business. 💌😌

Besides the fect i can't uderstand text in the video, it's great

😍😍😍

Sad 😢

Wow . That was so beautiful ❤❤

Sympa la tombe de John Cena à 4:38 à droite 😅

Så vackert 🙏😰😰😰😰

Жесткий мультфильм!

Bon... touching...

Wow

😥❤️

Wee wee!

As vezes, somos obrigados a enfrentar nossos medos 😟😟😟

Fences are made to keep things out. Fences around cemeteries are made to keep things IN.

Клас!!!

👍👍👍👍

Everyone who goes to war hopes they would survive it and even make promises to return which they never know for sure they can keep so they don't want to say goodbye ... And when Henri realizes he has died he is given a 2nd chance for closure to express his feelings and say his final farewell in a letter. (I don't read French but would like to know what he wrote.)

trop triste

Sorry ,,,, I don't even know why till this time i didn't subscribe ur channel,, ur totally incredible