The heroine of Little From Fish Shop is just as innocent as the mermaid in Andersen’s fairy tale and, like her, wants to find true love. Except that she lives in the world of people in a bustling city harbour. Like the mermaid, Little finds her prince and ultimately pays the price for falling under his devious spell.
Director Jan Balej’s film offers a modern take on the grotesque; the artistic stylisation of puppets aptly and concisely conveys the character of the individual figures, while the animation, serving to enhance the gags and various details and to heighten the tension, brings vibrancy and dynamism to the entire narrative. The film is intriguing for its suggestive evocation of the atmosphere of the town and its bizarre secluded spots, and for its expression of a whole range of moods, from brutal moments to the lyrical intermezzos associated with the emotional world of the fragile heroine.
Press
"Jan Balej's playful but unexpectedly faithful adaptation of 'The Little Mermaid' is a treat for stop-motion connoisseurs." - Variety
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CZECH THAT FILM
For the third year, the Film Society is proud to host this nationwide film festival celebrating the bst Czech films and filmmakers from the past to the present.