Zivot k sezrání

Animated feature film "Living Large" (Zivot k sezrání), a 2024 Czech-Slovak-French co-production in combined stop motion, puppets and 2D computer animation techniques, is directed by Kristina Dufková upon screenplay based on the French novel "La vie, en gros" by Mikaël Ollivier.

On the verge of his teenage years, Ben Pipetka finds himself suddenly troubled with his overweight. His divorced parents are lost at it, the school nurse warns about negatives ahead and bullies make fun of him.

However, unlike heroes of many other films thematizing the problem, Ben is not just a helpless victim submissive to bullying, but strongly opposes his tormentors, whether verbally or physically. Even for the price of being disgraced he courageously and proudly stands for himself. Sources of his self-confidence are in his many talents, which sets him apart from others, especially from bullies incapable of anything else than showing, or just pretending, how tough they are.

In his private life with a divorced mother he shows sufficient independence by often reasoning better than adults and is able to suppress his love of food and growing talent for cooking in order to start a diet. Ben is sharp minded and witty in school, while interacting with his mates and dealing with his budding love feelings for Klára. He's an able lyricist and a singer for the local garage band, lead by a drummer and Ben's best friend Erik, who, maybe (un)intentionally, resembles young Brian May from British rock band Queen.

When faced with unrequited romantic feelings, Ben temporarily loses his self-confidence. Fortunately, with a little help from a fairly unexpected source, he restores his composure and... his life resumes where paused.

Coming-of-age films, with a wide spectrum of additional problems treated, were particularly popular in the 1980s, with the best of them coming from the pen of the inimitable John Hughes, but they are an eternal and inexhaustible topic of interest not only to those who are currently growing up, but also to those (maybe numerous) who never really managed to do it right or at least not quite.

Storytelling is distinguished by artistry in a great tradition of Czech & Slovakian puppet films, further endeared through the choice of music, whether original or covered, like the eponymous theme by Bill Conti from John G. Avildsen's "Rocky" (1976), which accompanies Ben's run-up the stairs.

Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange" (1971), which still stands as a pinnacle when it comes to the on-screen bullying and ultraviolence, is referenced through styling of Klára's brothers, Olda and Polda.

So, all goodies put together, no wonder that "Living Large" has captured hearts and minds of the audience at Animafest Zagreb (Croatia) (after the Annecy International Animated Film Festival (France), the second oldest, and among the three most important animation festivals globally) in festival's 2025 edition and won "Mr. M" Audience Award for Best Long Animated Film from the Grand Feature Film Competition.