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The main character in The City of Lost Children is One (Un), the traveling circus strongman.
One is the massive, good-natured muscleman who initiates the central quest of the film: finding his six-year-old adopted little brother, Denree, who has been kidnapped by the Cyclops cult and delivered to Krank, the dream-stealing villain.
One’s character arc is defined by his overwhelming size contrasting with his childlike innocence and fierce loyalty. Because One is a man of limited vocabulary—he is often communicating through action, grunts, or simple statements—his most memorable dialogue is functional and highly focused on his singular goal.
Here are some of One’s most memorable lines and statements:
When the Cyclops cultists or other nefarious characters confront him, One usually responds with stark simplicity, establishing his place and mission.
"I am One."
(Context: This is often used when he is cornered or challenged, reinforcing his singular identity as the loyal older brother. His name reflects his solitary strength and dedication to his sibling.)
One's search is driven by deep paternal love. His most defining lines are always about Denree.
"I want my little brother back."
(Context: This line is repeated throughout his interactions with the lowlifes and criminals of the harbor city, serving as the only explanation he needs for the destruction he causes. It’s the constant, unwavering core of his mission.)
As One partners with the street orphan Miette, his dialogue shifts slightly to include protective statements, acknowledging her vulnerability and the danger they face.
(When Miette is injured or scared): "We stick together now. I won't let them hurt you."
(Context: While sometimes phrased slightly differently, the essence of One's dialogue with Miette centers on his immediate protective instinct, mirroring his feeling toward Denree. For a giant who is often misunderstood, his love is always expressed as absolute protection.)
Miette is arguably the co-lead and the intellectual driver of the plot; the summary focuses exclusively on One.
The film is French, and the 'memorable lines' are translations. Ron Perlman learned his lines phonetically.
One's most famous 'line' is simply shouting his brother's name, which is omitted in favor of complex sentences.
The main character of The City of Lost Children (1995) is One (Un), played by Ron Perlman, a circus strongman with a childlike mind. However, he is often considered a co-protagonist alongside Miette (Judith Vittet), a young orphan who leads a gang of children and provides the intellectual and emotional guidance for their journey. One's most memorable lines are characterized by their extreme simplicity, as he speaks very little (and in the original French version, Perlman learned his lines phonetically). His most iconic 'lines' include shouting 'Denree!' (the name of his kidnapped brother), stating 'C'est mon petit frère' ('He's my little brother'), and telling Miette 'On ne se quitte plus' ('We're not leaving each other anymore' or 'We'll never leave each other'). The AI summary provides paraphrased versions of these sentiments rather than exact quotes.