𓆃 鶴の恩返し The Grateful Crane (1966) is a stop motion puppet film by Kazuhiko Watanabe
𓆃 Ideya Garanina - Crane's Feathers (1977); َA Russian animation based on a Japanese folk tale
i have a soft spot for "swan maiden" stories! these adaptations use the same medium [stop motion animation], and even very similar color palettes, but their approaches diverge (especially with the sound), giving each take a different emotional tenor and texture. i love both and invite you to compare and contrast!
Jan 28, 2025
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This is such a good movie, the art is like no other made by Ghibli, super unique and the story is truly beautiful
It made me very emotional and I say that as someone who doesn't get easily moved by movies
Also would rec Only yesterday and When marnie was there!
Apr 18, 2024
one of the ghiblis i'd always skipped because "ooo its not miyazaki and i dont think ill like the artstyle" but i was super wrong! gorgeous and charming and made me want to be a dad. it strikes this really cool visual middle ground of modern western animation with its really simply drawn and emotive characters and like ukiyo-e paintings. definitely feels like its responding to miyazaki's films but undoubtedly has its own voice. if youre like me and passed over this go check it out because you're missing out!
Jan 28, 2024
[someone in the letterboxd reviews has a link to it so you can watch for free!]
a really gorgeous short, lovely use of stop motion and 2d animation, both bringing with them earlier traditions of painting and puppetry.
it's just really beautifully done.
i was unfamiliar with the story while watching. if you'd like to know more check this out.
Feb 18, 2025
Top Recs from @greenstar
Mar 12, 2025
Feb 8, 2025
Anders Zorn is beloved for good reason. His work was so skillfully made. Zorn's sense of form in particular is really lovely (and often on display because he loved a nude).
I've seen some of his work irl, but not this piece. Zorn's paintings have a lot of presence in person, so I imagine this one is even more cozy and lively when seen in the flesh. I love the diagonal composition and the use of light, as well as her cute cheeks and socks ♡
Feb 18, 2025