marmien

Marmien is a fictional character from the 2019 French animated film *The Little Prince and the Aviannoid*, directed by Mark Osborne and Goran Pacović. The film is a loose adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic 1943 novella *The Little Prince*, blending elements of the original story with original characters and plot developments.

In the film, Marmien is a small, round, and somewhat clumsy extraterrestrial creature who serves as a companion to the titular Little Prince. Unlike the original novella’s fox, Marmien is introduced as a gentle but somewhat naive being who communicates through simple, expressive gestures and sounds. He is depicted with a soft, pinkish hue, large eyes, and a round body, giving him a childlike and endearing appearance. Marmien’s role in the story is to provide emotional support and occasional comic relief, often reacting with wonder or confusion to the Prince’s adventures.

The character’s name is a playful twist on the French word *marmite*, which refers to a small cooking pot, though it is also phonetically reminiscent of "marmot," a type of rodent. This whimsical naming aligns with the film’s imaginative tone. Marmien’s design and behavior reflect the film’s effort to modernize and expand upon Saint-Exupéry’s original themes of friendship, loss, and the meaning of life, while appealing to a younger audience.

Marmien’s presence in the film highlights the story’s exploration of companionship and the bonds formed between different beings, whether they are human, alien, or otherwise. His role underscores the film’s message that even the most unlikely friendships can bring warmth and understanding to one’s journey.