Little From The Fish Shop

I saw Little From The Fish Shop at the Třeboň animation festival and I witnessed a typical misunderstanding when parents of young children stubbornly assumed that animated films are primarily intended for children, so they showed up in large numbers with their little ones. Then I saw deep disgust when they realized that the story takes place in a brothel. Little From The Fish Shop can deter viewers for two reasons. Firstly, it is an attempt to update The Little Mermaid set in the backdrop of a dirty contemporary port, which not everyone can digest. Secondly, the visual aspect is anything but pleasing. Those who associate The Little Mermaid with fragility, romance, and beauty will be sadly disappointed. On the other hand, it is precisely the artistic approach that works best in Balej's film. If you like an interesting artistic style that deviates from the mainstream, you will appreciate this film. The amazing smoky industrial style and darkly grotesque elements are magical. From a dramaturgical point of view, the film lags a bit and it is not a film for children or exclusively for adults in terms of the script. However, the final scene of the fairy leaving the stage is brilliant. Overall impression: 60%. (07/05/2016)