Marona's Fantastic Tale

Death and the hardship of life (above all abandonment) are the two main themes in Anca Damian's beautiful animated film. We follow Marona's solitude, from one home to another, told in voiceover. Marona's life is a tale, embellished by poetry and a generous philosophy. Anca Damian takes us in flashback in the spirit of Number Nine (her first name, as she was the last puppy to be born). Rejected by her purebred father because she was a bastard, she ends up in a trash can where she would have let herself die of despair if a pair of hands had not saved her and offered her to Manole, a tightrope walker and acrobat. This is the beginning of Marona's odyssey. From those hands to the next human (she does not say "master"), our heroine is tossed from one home to another, until a little girl names her Marona. Like the little girl, we get attached to this ball of black fur with big ears. Anyone who has had a pet (especially a dog) will find a piece of it in Marona. Each stage is underlined by its own graphic style. Marona's journey is a firework of colors, lines and sensual curves, due in particular to the expressionist visual contribution of Belgian comic book author, Brecht Evens. Over the course of her short life, Marona learns that happiness is only a fleeting moment. She therefore enjoys every second of it, which she puts in a box. Avoiding the pitfall of sentimentality, this little gem offers (in spite of the death that opens it) a real lesson in life and love. That love that Marona so generoulsy dispenses to all her "humans".

Happiness is a small thing. Almost nothing. A saucer of milk, a voice, smile, a heart, or a place to bury a bone.

A small dog, Marona, tells the story of her life with various human companions. Discarded in the trash as one of nine puppies, Morona narrowly escapes a tragic fate and short life. Rather than grow bitter, she is grateful for any kindness that comes her way. Marona never asks for much and cherishes little things as treasures. She gradually accumulates a "box of joys" that warm her heart and give her courage when she is scared or in trouble. With a loving person she is the richest dog in the world. In times of trouble Marona runs away, rather than hurt anyone. "It hurts less to sleep." Her love and empathy know no bounds.

This compassionate, artistic and colorful tale is deeply touching. The narrative contains impressive and moving prose which the animation and music expand upon as if they are coming from one ethereal source. Marona's story is genuinely as much human as it is canine. We are all together after all. In these deeply troubling times, she lifts your spirit. "Whenever you fall" Morona says, "be thankful it wasn't from higher up."

I only watched this French language animation last month and it left an indelible mark on me. Indeed, love can be so simple, Marona showed us.

Life threw the doe-eyed Marona into the deep waters, the youngest of the litter, she was picked to live with her daddy. But fate has it that she soon found herself in the streets and having to spend her life with different owners.

The movie has beautiful imaginative artwork with splashes of vivid colours and shapes. The long sequence of Marona's run towards the end of the movie is an amazing artistic accomplishment.

But most of all, the story really shows us how simple love should be. It's just about being there, always being there for your loved ones.

"Marona's Fantastic Tale" is a poignant and enjoyable movie worth every second of the time I spent in the cinema.

This is another beautiful movie that doesn't have enough reviews, so even a single low one can drop the overall number. For anyone who's ever had a pet, this is a must watch. I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet and are encouraged by these reviews, but it's a lot better than another movie I saw about this subject. Really hits home. The story is simple, but effective, and I love the creative use of it's wild animation. I do not understand how more people have no heard of it.

Warning: the very little ones may not like it. It gets a little weird and depressing. Still, if you're an animal lover, find this on whatever streaming channel has it at the time you're reading this and watch it.

Heartfelt story about our lives through a puppy's eyes. If you love animals it is a must to see this animated film. Colourful and ingenious portrayal of human nature.