Fehérlófia
1981 Directed by Marcell Jankovics
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Director, Marcell Jankovics, is little known outside of his native Hungary which is rather criminal when he was responsible for such startling works of animation like, Fehérlófia. Translated as Son of the White Mare, the film is an imagined folktale full of familiar tropes (princesses, underworlds, magic etc.) and formal structures (the power of three being all important). Although based on Avaric legend the story should be familiar to anybody who read fairy tales as a child.
The story, whilst perfectly enjoyable, is perfunctory with broad archetypal characters and a predictable plot, although it is surprisingly rich in symbolism (most of which I didn’t even notice on first viewing). Yet people don’t watch Fehérlófia for its passable story, they watch…
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Movie #6 of Berkens 30 days, 30 countries challenge
Feherlofia- Hungary
Not much to talk about here. The archaic story and characters need some getting used to and are quite one-dimensional, but the visual style is truly unique and fascinating. Characters, actions and motifs blend into one (quite literally) in a way I have never seen before, making this a captivating experience.
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Now this is certainly an original piece of animation! Fehérlófia takes its raw story material from Eurasian folk tales, and shapes it into a classic cautionary fairy tale. What really sets this apart from anything else it might otherwise be similar to though, is its style. Visually, Fehérlófia is a phantasmagorical, surreal, fractal, kaleidoscopic feast for the eyes, with bold use of flat shapes and colors. (That's a mouthful, but the movie's supreme sense of style deserves it!) I've never seen anything quite like it before.
Visuals aside, I suspect the movie has its share of symbolic substance buried below the surface, but standing completely outside of its cultural context as I do, it passed me by if it's there. But did I enjoy it anyway? Heck, yeah!
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Movie #6 of Berkens 30 days, 30 countries challenge
Feherlofia- Hungary
Not much to talk about here. The archaic story and characters need some getting used to and are quite one-dimensional, but the visual style is truly unique and fascinating. Characters, actions and motifs blend into one (quite literally) in a way I have never seen before, making this a captivating experience.
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Most striking about this rather obscure Hungarian animation gem based primarily on old Hunnish/Avarian folk tales, is its bold implementation of strong plain colour fields and its constant sense of motion. Being an allegory of ancient folk tales, the story is steeped in rich symbolism and revolves around familiar features such as the saving of a princess from a dragon, et al. which I personally did not enjoy all that much. Indeed, the main reason why I wanted to see this film was primarily its 'experimental' art direction. I was impressed the most by the ever flowing transitions from scene to scene. For this reason alone, I feel director Marcell Jankovics' Fehérlofia certainly deserves a little more recognition than it…
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Speaks in a visual language completely unique to itself and every shot is almost overwhelmingly beautiful and creative. Its always engaging, at least visually, but the narrative is not all that compelling. I would love to see it restored and on the big screen!
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Director, Marcell Jankovics, is little known outside of his native Hungary which is rather criminal when he was responsible for such startling works of animation like, Fehérlófia. Translated as Son of the White Mare, the film is an imagined folktale full of familiar tropes (princesses, underworlds, magic etc.) and formal structures (the power of three being all important). Although based on Avaric legend the story should be familiar to anybody who read fairy tales as a child.
The story, whilst perfectly enjoyable, is perfunctory with broad archetypal characters and a predictable plot, although it is surprisingly rich in symbolism (most of which I didn’t even notice on first viewing). Yet people don’t watch Fehérlófia for its passable story, they watch…
-
Now this is certainly an original piece of animation! Fehérlófia takes its raw story material from Eurasian folk tales, and shapes it into a classic cautionary fairy tale. What really sets this apart from anything else it might otherwise be similar to though, is its style. Visually, Fehérlófia is a phantasmagorical, surreal, fractal, kaleidoscopic feast for the eyes, with bold use of flat shapes and colors. (That's a mouthful, but the movie's supreme sense of style deserves it!) I've never seen anything quite like it before.
Visuals aside, I suspect the movie has its share of symbolic substance buried below the surface, but standing completely outside of its cultural context as I do, it passed me by if it's there. But did I enjoy it anyway? Heck, yeah!