Talking to young kids about the fact and finality of death is surely one of the most difficult tasks parents face. They can count on Tales from the Magic Garden to ease the way to difficult conversations. After bowing in the Berlinale’s K-plus strand, this imaginative collection of stories shows a variety of children who find in storytelling itself a way to elaborate their grief over the loss of a grandparent or other loved one.
A coproduction between Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and France, the film has been travelling to festivals in its original version featuring Czech dialogue, most recently alighting in the Amman Intl. Film Festival’s new Non-Arab Feature competition. It is also known by the dire title Of Unwanted Things and People, which doesn’t convey the joyful flights of imaginative animation that light up the film.
With warmth and understanding, and a good measure of gentle humor aimed at the younger set, four directors create colorful, animated universes – harmonizing but distinct — where magical things happen under the noses of the characters. The screenplay is an adaptation of stories written by Czech playwright and writer Arnost Goldflam, who appears in puppet form as a roly-poly, white-bearded Grandpa in a segment directed by French filmmaker Jean-Claude Rozec, known for the short Specky Four-Eyes.
The other filmmakers involved are Czech director David Sukup (Light, The Mechanics), Patrik Pass, co-writer of The Last Bus and creator of Slovakia’s first graphic novel, and Leon Vidmar, the Slovenian director of the award-winning short Farewell.
When we first meet Grandpa, he is withdrawn and listless following the recent death of his wife. When his grandkids Suzanne (8), Tom (4) and Derek (10) come to visit, they are dismayed by the change in him. Then Suzanne remembers how grandma told them stories, using her straw hat to collect ideas from each listener, and the girl assumes the role of storyteller in her place.
A particularly resonant and daring tale is the story of a loving middle-class family with two kids, little Emily and an older brother who likes to scare her. Mom puts on her makeup and plays the piano a bit; then along with dad (is the resemblance to Gomez Addams accidental?) they prepare to leave the kids at home for an evening out. A few gestures are enough to sketch the four characters’ personalities and the family dynamics. Not long afterwards, the doorbell rings. Two aging policemen regretfully inform the kids their parents were struck by a truck when they stepped out of the building. And unless a relative turns up soon, they will have to go to a children’s home to live. Pop-eyed and unable to speak, the kids fall asleep while their pet cat transforms itself into something magical.
There is more magic in the story of frightened little Jonas and his bossy older brother. Looking for treasure in an abandoned and rather obviously haunted house, they only find apple cores. When his brother huffs off in frustration, Jonas gets left behind and meets the kindly old woman who owns the house. She still mourns her long-dead husband Leonid… but keeps a special memento of him in the attic. Her kindness, far from scaring Jonas, helps him to overcome his fears and rebalance the relationship with his sibling.
Finally, there is the story of a lonely, depressed widower who goes to the cemetery every day to read the paper at his wife’s grave. One day he seems to have a heart attack; he turns into a bird and discovers how liberating it is to fly above the town, ending up in a blooming garden with all sorts of feathered friends, who crown him king of the birds.
The visuals have a bright, colorful, often cluttered look that should appeal to young children, while the narrative is filled with hope and encouragement to overcome the dark moments of life. The viewer is left with the positive image of the girl who is both storyteller and healer for her family.
Directors: Patrik Pass Jr., Jean-Claude Rozec, David Sukup, Leon Vidmar
Screenwriters: Kaja Balog, Blandine Jet, Petr Krajicek, Maja Kriznik, Marek Kral, Patrik Pass Jr. based on a story by Arnost Goldflam
Producers: Juraj Krasnohorsky, Jean-Francois Le Corre, Kolja Saksida, Martin Vandas
Voice cast: Mikulas Cizek, Arnost Goldflam, Zofie Hanova, Zuzana Kronerova, Alex Mojzis, Pavla Beretova, Ivan Trojan, Dana Cerna
Cinematography: Mathilde Gaillard, Simona Weisslechner
Editing: Adela Spaljova
Music: Lucia Chutkova
Graphic design: Patricia Ortiz Martinez
Visual effects: Michal Struss
Sound design: Miroslav Chaloupka
Production companies: Maur Film (Czech Republic), Artichoke Film Production (Slovakia), Zvviks (Slovenia), Vivement Lundì! (France)
World sales: New Europe Film Sales
Venue: Amman International Film Festival (Non-Arab Feature competition)
In Czech
71 minutes
