Description

"Hedgehog in the Fog" (Russian: Ёжик в тума́не) is a 1975 Soviet animated short film directed by Yuri Norstein and produced by the Soyuzmultfilm studio in Moscow. The film is based on a script written by Sergei Grigoryevich Kozlov, who also published a book under the same name. Its surreal and atmospheric animation tells the story of a hedgehog journeying through a foggy forest to visit his friend, the Bear Cub. Along the way, the Hedgehog encounters various mysterious and dreamlike creatures, including an owl, a bat, and a white horse, whose blurred silhouette repeatedly captures his attention. The film stands out for its visual artistry, using innovative animation techniques, such as creating fog effects by placing thin pieces of paper over scenes and gradually lifting them frame-by-frame to evoke a sense of mystery and wonder.

The film’s plot centers on the Hedgehog’s walk through the fog, where the everyday world transforms into something both beautiful and haunting. Despite the strange occurrences along the way, such as falling into a river and being rescued by a mysterious figure, the Hedgehog ultimately reaches his destination, where the Bear Cub awaits with tea and raspberry jam. The film has been lauded for its thematic depth, touching on ideas of fear, wonder, and friendship. Over the years, "Hedgehog in the Fog" has received widespread recognition, winning awards at international film festivals and being named the greatest animated film of all time in a 2003 Tokyo poll.

Date of issue: 23.09.2024