Tintin and I airs on PBS tonight

(Source: ICv2)

Hergé's Tintin series of graphic novels has never had the same impact in North America that it had in Europe, where it is rightfully hailed as a classic. Hergé's stories about the plucky Belgian reporter and his faithful dog Milou (Snowy in the English editions) have sold over 200 million copies and have been translated into 58 languages. In short, Tintin is to Belgium what Astérix is to France.

In 1971, Hergé (real name Georges Remi) gave a 14-hour audio interview with reporter Numa Sadoul in which he talked about his life and work. Danish filmmaker Anders Ostergaard assembled the tapes, along with photographs from Herge's personal collection, newsreel footage and Tintin comics and drawings.

Ostergaard doesn't gloss over the major controversies in Hergé's work. Herge's second Tintin adventure, Tintin in the Congo, which was first printed in 1930, was heavily criticized for perpetuating colonial stereotypes. Hergé pleaded naive ignorance and devoted the rest of his career to meticulous research that characterizes his work.

However, Hergé's biggest crisis was when Germany invaded Belgium during World War II. Despite the fact that 1938's King Ottokar's Sceptre was a thinly-disguised assault on Nazism, Hergé was arrested and accused of collaboration after the war ended, and his reputation suffered as a result.

Ostergaard feels that many of Hergé's demons came from outside forces, and the author's inability to face them with the same courage that his creation displayed.

"Herge's story, the life of a dreamer whose inner clarity was so much in conflict with the world outside him, was very moving itself," the director says. "Can't you, especially if you are an artist or other creative type, just remain inside the dream? You can't, not without paying a high price."

Tintin is definitely an acquired taste. For myself, Hergé's stories aren't as memorable, and haven't aged as well as René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo's Astérix adventures. However, any fan of animation should check out Hergé and his classic creation. Tintin and I airs on PBS on Tuesday, July 11th at 10 pm, ET, PT. Times may vary, so check your local listings.

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