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Post by Seven on Mar 24, 2008 11:12:27 GMT -5
My friend Russian friend translated a Russian version of the Little Mermaid into English as a present for me since they knew I really love unique animation . It's a beautiful piece, and it quite frankly touched because they took the trouble of translating it for me! Thank you so much!!! *hugs*
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Post by The Roommate on Mar 24, 2008 11:29:53 GMT -5
Wow, what an enchanting cartoon! I'm so glad you added it here, the animation is literally unlike anything I've ever seen before. It makes me happy.
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Post by Seven on Mar 26, 2008 0:31:42 GMT -5
Oh Roomie, I'm a really sad individual. I think I've watched these videos at least 20 times now. I can't get over how beautiful and poetic they are. Thank you for translating them. *hugs*
There is one thing I've been dying to discuss. I love how the fish story teller and the human storyteller have exact opposite views. Such as naivety vs kindess & wisdom and love existing vs love not existing. Do you have any views on that? I thought it was pretty interesting...
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Post by The Roommate on Mar 26, 2008 11:17:48 GMT -5
hmm i guess you & I are the only ones who appreciate it  |
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Post by Seven on Mar 26, 2008 11:35:43 GMT -5
how sad! It's so beautiful too! I tried to force Hope to watch it, but she was too busy with other stuff....
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Post by Asila on Mar 26, 2008 23:05:57 GMT -5
Oh, it ends so sadly! I think I was rooting for a happy ending despite myself, even though I think the tragic ending made this a more enduring story. It's so powerful...I think it's morals lie in it's tradgedy.
Love is not about happy endings. It's about devotion.
...if I'm being melodramatic, you must excuse me. The cartoon just has me thinking...
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Post by Seven on Mar 26, 2008 23:32:33 GMT -5
True, though most people actually DON'T realize the Little Mermaid is a tragedy because of Disney's version. Isn't that strange? People need to read more children's stories! I liked how the cartoon had two contrary views between the human and fish story tellers.
But what did you think about the style? Isn't it so different from other cartoons or anime?
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Post by Asila on Mar 26, 2008 23:45:11 GMT -5
I loved the style! I don't know much about classic Russian art, but I bet that if I visited a museum in Moscow I'd see pictures of a similar style. As though they took an ancient art technique and brought it to life...it almost reminds me of Egyptian heiroglyphics.
And I just thought of something...don't you think the fish could just be bitter because one of the most beautiful creatures of their realm gave everything for a human...and he didn't even realize?
I think I'd be pretty pessimistic on the topic if one of my own died for the man she loved and he never even saw her for what she was. Sorry, just trying to think like a fish!
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Post by Seven on Mar 26, 2008 23:53:26 GMT -5
I know, wasn't it lovely?
i think that was exactly it.
The fish seemed upset that humans were talking about love when the prince, pretty much GIVEN true love, didn't recognize it at all.
Yes, but do you think that the fish might have been at least partially wrong? If love does not exist, than was the mermaids sacrifice in vain?
Oh, there was one other thing I really loved. The original version of the story included this very dark and terrible thing, that with every step the mermaid took, she would feel agonizing pain, like a thousand knives. Of course, most renditions censor this. I was very pleased that the sea witch brought it up in this cartoon though. The only thing I felt disappointed about is that the original story also said that since the mermaid could no longer sing, she used to dance for the prince's happiness (as he loved to watch her dance), despite the unbearable pain she'd have to endure. I really would have liked to have seen that in this cartoon. Too bad they didn't include it. Perhaps we were supposed to infer it from that dream-like sequence though, and the sad look on her face as she slowly trudged along.....
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Post by Asila on Mar 27, 2008 0:11:21 GMT -5
Yep. I know I'd scoff at the concept of love if I were a fishie and THAT was the love story that I kept hearing!
Of course they were wrong. The mermaid did love the prince, enough to sacrifice her life for him even though he'd chosen another. It IS a love story. It's just very sad, and I'm sure that every mother fishie, or rather, mermaid, wouldn't want their daughters to share the same fate. So they'd hardly romanticize the story. And even if they did, I know I wouldn't be very quick to fall for a human if I thought that he'd not only never appreciate my feelings for him, but would also fall in love with someone else and leave me to die. Yep, definately can't blame the fishes for a negative outlook.
Whoa, I didn't know these things about the story before I watched it! I feel cheated by Disney, now. Their version of the story wasn't nearly as profound. However, I think you'd need to have a longer movie to faithfully portray what the mermaid endured and sacrificed for the sake of love. Someone needs to remake this movie! Or at least write a lengthy novel...I'd definately pick THAT up. Sounds like a good read.
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Post by Seven on Mar 27, 2008 0:24:39 GMT -5
That is true. whenever you hear fairy tales, or just simple stories of any kind, you rarely think of how they would be told by the people of the other side. But that does make sense. To humans, the little mermaid is a love story, and to the aquatic creatures, it is a moral/warning story not to be stupid and go to the surface.
Yes, the Disney version, cute as it was, is cheap. I mean, it's good in it's own way, but it really dismembered the original telling of it, sort of leaving it devoid of a point. I'm sure there are other versions--well, I KNOW there are other versions that are feature film legnth but stick to the original plot. Roomie will scold me for bringing anime into this, but there was a 70's movie that was pretty good that remained true.
Anyways, back to the movie....
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Post by Asila on Mar 27, 2008 0:35:06 GMT -5
Hmm, I have to see some of these other movies...
As for looking at the other side of a story, I do this quite often. I think it's because I get sucked into arguments and, instead of being one of those people that like to hold up their hands and say 'I'm not getting into it' I actually like to express an opinion. I've found it calms both sides when you can outline what's going on and why in an objective and fair fashion. Oh, and don't forget the sympathy! People also calm down faster if they feel that you understand what they are going through.
But I am going off on a tangent. I really feel that this story should come to life for the new generations. Someone should remedy Disney's error and make a mainstream film that follows the original plot line. I think people need to remember that love is not about your own happiness, a self-centered view that Disney's film encourages. The original story reminds us that if you love someone, it should be their happiness that brings you joy. I think that our Entitlement generation needs to be introduced to these morals desperately.
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Post by Seven on Mar 27, 2008 0:45:46 GMT -5
Yes, well America is a very individualistic country in every aspect. The idea of doing something for someone else goes against our very values. No disney character other than parents have ever died for who they love (which is in their case, the children). Just like this, the idea of love has become individualized. "I love so and so. But how So and So is actually is feeling doesn't matter. Only my feelings count since they are the only ones I feel. "
The prince in this movie was actually a little bit like this, if you noticed. He never really asked the mermaid anything about herself. Her only importance was how she related to him. the whole "you look like the girl who saved me." he didn't really question where she came from or why she looked so sad and pained. when he decided to marry, it was 'aren't you happy for me?" even in the end, when he sees her get washed away, he's hurt for about 2 seconds before he gets distracted again. He seems to forget entirely that she was even ever there!
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Post by Asila on Mar 27, 2008 1:24:16 GMT -5
Oh boy, you have no idea what you've just gotten yourself into!
With that warning, let my rant begin!
I know that America is individualistic, but this trend began because of our history and how we've learned to value and fight for freedom since our Revolutionary War. However, our culture has really twisted what could be seen as an honorable trait into one that is degenerate and selfish.
And it all starts with what we're teaching our young. I'm going to speak from the female side of this moral slide, since it is what I know well. We need to stop with the 'little princess' fetish! Why do people tell their daughters this? Do they want them to be just the type of irritating self-centered, gold-digging stereotype that everyone hates? Because that, my friends, is just the type of moral that comes across. Tell your child that they are a little princess and shower them with every gift they desire and you will have an individual who thinks they deserve to receive everything without giving anything in return. And it all goes downhill from there.
And I am very sick of Disney princess movies. Why are we glamorizing the damsel in distress? Why not put independence and courage on a pedestal for the girls? What kind of sick, patriarchal world is this?!! *grins* All right, I'm not so extreme that I'm going to rant about this last, but really, I'm sick of encountering the type of girls that cower in a trying situation. I want to attack James Bond movies for this same reason, but I think I got my point across.
However, I'm putting my rant on hold, because I'm missing something. What of the guys? Many of them are about as reluctant to stand their ground in a mess as the girls are. Is this because of our selfishness? The twisted individualistic desire to look out for oneself and only oneself, morals, honor, courage, and the well-being of others be damned? Oh, and that sets the stage for even more discussion. I should just write a ten page paper in my nonsensical, rambling style and get it over with...
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Post by Rojo on Mar 27, 2008 8:36:34 GMT -5
I took the time to watch it.
I think it was good...it reminded me of Pan's Labyrinth.
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