Review by bob the moo

In the brown waters of the Gironde estuary, between rocks repainted with fuel and the muddy sands that provides the best oysters in the world live the Pachygrapsus Mormatus – more commonly known as the "depressed crabs". Like ordinary crabs, the depressed crabs walk sideways; however they are cursed in a special way because they cannot turn around. Hence whatever straight line they are born in, it is that that they will be forced to walk for their lives. Some are lucky, some are unlucky but a time is coming where one crab will become the first to turn, change his destiny and lead a revolution (maybe).

There are people in this world who don't "do" short films. There are people in this world that don't "do" animation. And god love them because they are very much missing out, probably just living a diet fed from Hollywood via their 20 screen multiplexes. Anyway, this is one of several short films that I saw recently at a small festival and it is easily one of the most enjoyable for being the sort of film that you just love to watch and feel sad when it is finished. The clever and original premise (the crabs cannot alter their course) is well played out in such a way that it is interesting, touching, sweet and very funny. It is a simple tale but I bet you'll be held by it just as I was.

The animation is very cool – not overdone but with enough style and affection put into it to be consistently interesting to look at and it only adds to the charm and "sweet" atmosphere the whole thing has. Overall this is well worth hunting down and watching because it is the sort of memorable film that will stay with you. Not sure how widely available it is but it is yet another good reason to be watching short films whenever you can – they are truly the number one place to find innovative and original work.