Artem Mozgovoy
Many years ago, in 1975, Yuri Norstein and Sergei Kozlov released a short animated film based on Kozlov’s short story Hedgehog in the Fog. The film runs for only about 11 minutes and tells the story of the Hedgehog’s adventure — or rather, his long and difficult journey through the fog on his way to meet his friend the Bear Cub in the forest. Along the way, the Hedgehog loses his jar of jam, but eventually finds himself.
Much has been said about the incredibly deep meaning of the film — whether it is an allegory of Dante, of psychology, or something that each person interprets for themselves, like a reflection in the puddle into which the Hedgehog gazes.
The story shows us that in times of inner crisis a person clings to an illusion — something that seems to stay with him forever, something he believes he cannot lose, like the Hedgehog’s jam. But everything is tested by circumstances and intention, and suddenly many fears begin to emerge. These may be symbolized by the Owl, the Bat and the Dog, who at first seems frightening but later turns out to be kind, returning the Hedgehog’s little bundle.
The tree with its branches may symbolize the space of possibilities — an allegory that the Hedgehog always has a choice of where to go and what to do, and that every choice is beautiful in its own way.
There are countless interpretations of this iconic story, which gained worldwide recognition and numerous awards. Yet one question remains eternal: what, after all, is this film about? We keep asking ourselves the same question as the Hedgehog does, thinking about the Horse, far away and all alone. How is she, there in the fog?
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