Hedgehog in the Fog

His name is enough for know define a special animation universe. In same measure, "Yozhik v tumane" is different. Each time when you see. Because the trip of little hedgehog remain message, characters, symbols. But all is so simple. A film about friendship and travel and initiation s magic. Sure, many explanations and definitions and opinions about art. In essence, it remains one of the greatest short animations for the inner child. A pure gem. Or a classic. The emotion and not the words defines it.

Yozik v tumane seems to be one of the best cartoons ever. It's both simple and very philosophical, but I like it best because it's very lyrical.At first it all seems to consist of nothing but vague images, but what is our whole life but not wandering in the fog? There's almost no story told, but it's all there - friendship and warmth, lyricism, fears and hopes, wanderings and search for something evasive, something all of us long for and almost never get. More than that - it's full of beauty, high-strung and piercing a human heart. And beauty is something we all search for, even if do not admit it.

This is the cartoon film that I love, love with all my heart. This is the little wonderful story that I adore and still watch every time it is on the TV. Why? Well, the plot is amazingly simple - a little sweet helpless hedgehog is lost in the dense fog on his was to his friend, a bear, who awaits him for a tea with jam. The hedgehog is afraid, he is overcoming his innate fear of the dark, of some imaginary evil creatures, of the unknown and the new. He is encountered by a kind dog, a hilariously nervous owl, a kind fish that helps him out of the river, and finally he is at the bear's place... But the music, the very magic, sweet, mesmerizing feeling! This is a touching little story about a kid lost in the dark alone and trying to get out of it. This is a deep philosophical story about the quest for new and unknown things... This is a grand Anthem to the Freindship, Bravery and Curiosity. I love this excellent film. It is incredible...

This has to be one of the best animated films ever made! It never fails to move me with its simple, touching story and fantastic images. I think about the little things which we often fail to appreciate every time I watch this marvellous little film. See it - you might discover something new about yourself.

Because it is a very watchable poetry, an example of magic, which makes me play this DVD again and again. It is 11 minutes of excellence.

I've seen a number of other cartoons by Mr Yuriy Norshteyn but I did not like them much. To me they are all right. But this one is something absolutely out of this world.

Craftsmanship at its best. The soundtrack is a symphony of sounds and catch-phrases, which vary in depth and attitude. It can be a simple "Psycho!" ("Psih!" in Russian) or a reflection on one's life and death (cf. the scene where the hedgehog falls into the water).

The only thing I'm very sorry about is that this animation legend ends so quickly.

10 out of 10 - this is what I call excellence (I would give it an 11 for its 11 intoxicating minutes). Thank you for attention.