The Old Man and the Sea

"The Old Man and the Sea" (1999) directed by Aleksandr Petrov is a 20 minutes long animation based on Ernest Hemingway's 1952 novella of the same name. Petrov's film was awarded Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2000. More than two years of painting on glass sheets, using brushes but mostly his own fingers, resulted in over 29,000 paintings that enabled Petrov to produce this absolutely awesome, one of the kind feast of colors, images, and emotions that celebrate the famous work of literature and its creator. I have watched it perhaps ten times during the last weekend. I am still overwhelmed by its beauty and depth, and the admiration for what human imagination, creativity, and talent are capable of producing. The extremely rare technique made the film both incredibly realistic and magically dream-like. The director himself gave us the key to understanding his work when he explained that painting with his fingers instead of brushes, "is the closest way from the heart to the cartoon". He put his own heart in every scene of the film, and that's probably why every image is alive, breathing, and shining.

This Hemingway staple has all of the tensions inherent in a life lived. The old man knows that his task is huge, but facing death and failure is better than living in safety. The seamless animation and waves of beautiful sea images take us on the journey. One of the finest examples of short animation to ever be seen.

a film who could surprise if the name of Alexandr Petrov is unknown. if not, it is only expression of subtle, touching and high art. a slice of pure beauty, homage to a great story and to its author. the images are almost magic. because behind each the passion, the hard work, the patience and the perseverance are signs of a kind of mystery. a film about a fight and a dream.out of words, far by definitions. it is a great animation and that fact is the secret for who not only admiration is the answer of spectator to it. something who seems be the childhood flavor and the grace of great dreams are ingredients of it. a film like a challenge. and like a refuge.

I first saw this movie in the Spring of 2001, and it is truly one of the best films I have ever seen. Mr. Petrov not only does a magnificent job of depicting the story of the Old Man and the Sea, but also gives tribute the life of Ernest Hemmingway in a way that is true to the man. I still remember many affecting lines from Hemmingway's journal that are included in the movie (though not verbatim, otherwise I might leave some here). I left the theater with a changed perspective on life and its importance.

Needless to say, I would love to be able to see this movie again. However, because it was in IMAX format in theaters, it has never been released on DVD or VHS, at least to my knowledge it hasn't. I hope someday the means will be provided to release the movie in a format for private viewers to purchase. That day may never arrive though. Thus, if you ever have the chance to see this movie in an IMAX theater, don't let it pass you by!

a well known text. and more that. impressive realism. and touching poetry. a masterpiece, without doubt. but on who inspires so emotion than transforms each moment in a surprise. because it is more Hemingway than Santiago in this story about memories - dreams, confessions, terrible fight, disillusion, pain and broke of expectation. it is almost a Hasidic story. or a parable. out of lines of text, out of expectations of viewer. a kind of magic. not surprising for the public of Alexander Petrov. but out of words. because his art has him. a gift. a miracle. open of new perspective of reality. that is all. and it is enough. because The Old Man and the Sea by Alexander Petrov is more than a magnificent adaptation. it is one of the most impressive confessions as part of unique art.