Little from the Fish Shop (2015) - full transcript
Everyone's familiar with Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, the story of a love capable of forgiving even the greatest betrayal. In Jan Balej's film - a work filled with wonderful animation, expressive puppet designs and an imaginative, shifting score from French composer Chapelier Fou - the fairy-tale romance is replaced with a bleak portrayal of life in a city harbor, yet its enduring message remains.
A wonderful world was hidden
under the surface of the sea.
The sea anemones,
billowing clouds of algae,
Mysterious, colourful realm
of calm and silence.
All it takes is a roll of a single
wave - for things to change.
Accompanied by the whirling
of ship's propellers
people are devastating the oceans.
Some fish take refuge in the
cool depths of the sea,
others find their fate
in fishing nets.
And some leave for
the world of humans.
Thus the ruler of the local seas
decided to move ashore, into exile.
He locked the doors to his underwater
palace and headed toward a port,
together with his old mother
and three daughters.
This is a story about the Sea King
and mainly about his
youngest daughter, Little.
A story about great love.
A dockside story.
Noise, music, yelling,
hustle and bustle.
Sailors, outcasts and vendors
from every corner of the world -
all packed in one alley.
The air is infused with the smell of
spices, rum, sadness and hope.
This is the Harbor District.
That is why the King has opened
his fish shop in this very place,
to always feel the salty
taste of sea.
Poor Little. Her folks told her
she was too young to leave the house.
And there is so much going on outside!
Tinker, tailor...
A backstreet dealer...
And look at that
odd fish over there.
Who's the small, harmless fish
and who's the shark?
The waiter from across the street
is a slimy character.
Always trying to get on
the good side of the King.
He has his eye on
a different kind of catch -
the three mermaids working out back.
It is time to feed Precious,
memory of happy times
long ago in a palace.
The King's everyday small pleasure.
How do you spell bad news?
B, for Bogan.
With cold-blooded eyes to
match his cold-headed cash.
God knows why that diva on his hip
thinks the snake looks so good.
Bogan's turned Little's head, too,
she looks hypnotized.
And Bogan knows full well what
prize'll be
waiting for him over at the fish shop.
Every night, the two sisters
would make their rounds
delivering freshly prepared fish
delicacies to nearby bars and pubs.
Little can't wait
until she turns 16.
When she gets to join her sisters
out in the big world beyond
the shop's window shutters,
What? Don't you feel it'?
It's always a party
in the Harbor District.
Every day, Middle would bring
Little her favourite banana
and tell her everything
about the night before.
Little always imagined all the known
and unknown faces, places and things.
It was like watching a movie -
somewhere, unreal.
Like, one big dream!
Her 16th birthday.
Today, Little gets
the Pearl of Adulthood!
Will it change her?
She's about to find out what
the dreamed-up world beyond
the window shutters really looks like.
What kind of neon lights
are out there.
Sparkling new colors of starfish?
Or unexpected traps?
And what about Daddy?
He didn't forget!
"What's up, little girl,
fancy a herring?"
"How do you do'? Here, my little
lady, a lantern of wishful thinking."
The ocean is a kingdom lost.
Memories out like shattered glass
for the King and the Queen Mother.
A vague, distant past for Little.
She wants to live right here-
in the Harbor District.
Right now- among all these
bizarre two-leggers.
Where will the delicate
lantern arrive at?
Will Little's secret wish come true?
How did they end up here?
None of them planned to walk down
this street lined with night clubs.
Except,one surprise turn,
can sometimes change your life.
Today is the first day Little will do
her rounds, delivering seafood.
Who could Little turn to about
what happened yesterday?
Middle gave up a piece of her mind,
about Bogan and his neon heart sign.
Only Little wouldn't listen.
Scales had already grown over eyes.
The sweet young fool was in love.
"Is it easy to become human?"
Little asked her grandmother.
"Child! What made you ask that?"
"A man should love you so much,
that you were more to him
than anyone and anything in the whole
world
and what's more: you would
have to seek out an old witch,
who lives underground in
the sewers, and give her
the most precious thing you have,
for a pair of human legs."
Every year, the King holds
the feast of the Green Lanterns;
Albeit now in more
humble surroundings.
But when family and friends
crowd around
and there's a little something to
nibble on and drink
and when the Fish Orchestra
strikes up a tune!'?!
Well... life ain't half bad!
With every step,
Little felt she would cry out loud!
Ii was like walking on sea urchins
and the spikes of bass!
She was ready to pay for
her dream to come true.
Little was human now.
And that meant... no turning back.
Grandma, don't get mad.
Daddy, forgive me.
Sisters,
I love you so much!
Welcome to Bogan's lair. Kingdom
of nightlife and fun in the dark.
Women, clients, booze, and more
women, more clients, more booze.
Have you seen Little?
What happened to Precious?
Our Little...
The club has a new boss.
Little is her name!
Back at the shop, Mr. Guess Who,
has already filled in for Little.
But has Middle really taken his bait?
Or has the waiter taken hers?
Little was happy, the nightclub a hit,
and Bogan'? He was just fine.
Ant then, one day, Bogan
kicked out a girl
who had the nerve
to get pregnant!
Little had to help her out. It was
the human thing to do. Or was it?
"Began?"
"The waiter?"
"For now..."
Middle pleaded with Little to
leave Bogan and that club
and ditch that whole seedy street,
and come back home.
But no use.
So Middle switched the subject,
and told Little
about her, say, unsteady
waiter boyfriend,
and about everyone back at home.
It was like watching a movie again.
Only this time, the picture
looked real.
This one, hit Little straight
in the heart.
Forgiveness and Bogan mixed
like oil and water.
Plus he already had
his fill of Little.
The tide comes in, and
the tide goes out.
The waiter seems a little
too unserious
about his less-than-serious
relationship with Middle.
And just like that, the club
had a new boss. Again.
Little can't make heads or
tails of what's going on.
"I guess it's normal for humans to
always have to fight for love."
[IA gift!"
"If you know where Little is,
just bring the girl home!"
"Come on,let's hit the road!"
But Little had to stay.
There was just no turning back
from the choice she'd made.
"Take a banana at least."
Go find that witch.
Maybe she can get us out of this mess.
To save Little's life, her sisters
had to give up their living hair,
in exchange for a knife.
A knife made of metal hard as the sea.
It was simple. Little had
until daybreak to kill Bogan.
Kill him, your fish tail grows back,
and you get to go back
to your loving family.
But, if she doesn't make Bogan
pay for his betrayal,
Little will die at dawn's first light.
Just finish him!
Then you can come back.
And so, our port story must end.
Little was human for just
a short while.
She lived long enough,
to know the betrayal,
and paid the ultimate price.
No. No happily ever after, here.
But Little lived out her big dream.
She fell in love-- wild, burning
love» and tasted pure happiness.
Who are you, who is anybody to say--
for just a little while doesn't count?
So the next time the foam of the sea,
cools you with its touch,
remember Little.
No matter how far,
how stormy the ocean--
chase your dreams, risk it all.
For life, for hope, for love.
Just sail out, wherever it takes you.
Anchors up!
under the surface of the sea.
The sea anemones,
billowing clouds of algae,
Mysterious, colourful realm
of calm and silence.
All it takes is a roll of a single
wave - for things to change.
Accompanied by the whirling
of ship's propellers
people are devastating the oceans.
Some fish take refuge in the
cool depths of the sea,
others find their fate
in fishing nets.
And some leave for
the world of humans.
Thus the ruler of the local seas
decided to move ashore, into exile.
He locked the doors to his underwater
palace and headed toward a port,
together with his old mother
and three daughters.
This is a story about the Sea King
and mainly about his
youngest daughter, Little.
A story about great love.
A dockside story.
Noise, music, yelling,
hustle and bustle.
Sailors, outcasts and vendors
from every corner of the world -
all packed in one alley.
The air is infused with the smell of
spices, rum, sadness and hope.
This is the Harbor District.
That is why the King has opened
his fish shop in this very place,
to always feel the salty
taste of sea.
Poor Little. Her folks told her
she was too young to leave the house.
And there is so much going on outside!
Tinker, tailor...
A backstreet dealer...
And look at that
odd fish over there.
Who's the small, harmless fish
and who's the shark?
The waiter from across the street
is a slimy character.
Always trying to get on
the good side of the King.
He has his eye on
a different kind of catch -
the three mermaids working out back.
It is time to feed Precious,
memory of happy times
long ago in a palace.
The King's everyday small pleasure.
How do you spell bad news?
B, for Bogan.
With cold-blooded eyes to
match his cold-headed cash.
God knows why that diva on his hip
thinks the snake looks so good.
Bogan's turned Little's head, too,
she looks hypnotized.
And Bogan knows full well what
prize'll be
waiting for him over at the fish shop.
Every night, the two sisters
would make their rounds
delivering freshly prepared fish
delicacies to nearby bars and pubs.
Little can't wait
until she turns 16.
When she gets to join her sisters
out in the big world beyond
the shop's window shutters,
What? Don't you feel it'?
It's always a party
in the Harbor District.
Every day, Middle would bring
Little her favourite banana
and tell her everything
about the night before.
Little always imagined all the known
and unknown faces, places and things.
It was like watching a movie -
somewhere, unreal.
Like, one big dream!
Her 16th birthday.
Today, Little gets
the Pearl of Adulthood!
Will it change her?
She's about to find out what
the dreamed-up world beyond
the window shutters really looks like.
What kind of neon lights
are out there.
Sparkling new colors of starfish?
Or unexpected traps?
And what about Daddy?
He didn't forget!
"What's up, little girl,
fancy a herring?"
"How do you do'? Here, my little
lady, a lantern of wishful thinking."
The ocean is a kingdom lost.
Memories out like shattered glass
for the King and the Queen Mother.
A vague, distant past for Little.
She wants to live right here-
in the Harbor District.
Right now- among all these
bizarre two-leggers.
Where will the delicate
lantern arrive at?
Will Little's secret wish come true?
How did they end up here?
None of them planned to walk down
this street lined with night clubs.
Except,one surprise turn,
can sometimes change your life.
Today is the first day Little will do
her rounds, delivering seafood.
Who could Little turn to about
what happened yesterday?
Middle gave up a piece of her mind,
about Bogan and his neon heart sign.
Only Little wouldn't listen.
Scales had already grown over eyes.
The sweet young fool was in love.
"Is it easy to become human?"
Little asked her grandmother.
"Child! What made you ask that?"
"A man should love you so much,
that you were more to him
than anyone and anything in the whole
world
and what's more: you would
have to seek out an old witch,
who lives underground in
the sewers, and give her
the most precious thing you have,
for a pair of human legs."
Every year, the King holds
the feast of the Green Lanterns;
Albeit now in more
humble surroundings.
But when family and friends
crowd around
and there's a little something to
nibble on and drink
and when the Fish Orchestra
strikes up a tune!'?!
Well... life ain't half bad!
With every step,
Little felt she would cry out loud!
Ii was like walking on sea urchins
and the spikes of bass!
She was ready to pay for
her dream to come true.
Little was human now.
And that meant... no turning back.
Grandma, don't get mad.
Daddy, forgive me.
Sisters,
I love you so much!
Welcome to Bogan's lair. Kingdom
of nightlife and fun in the dark.
Women, clients, booze, and more
women, more clients, more booze.
Have you seen Little?
What happened to Precious?
Our Little...
The club has a new boss.
Little is her name!
Back at the shop, Mr. Guess Who,
has already filled in for Little.
But has Middle really taken his bait?
Or has the waiter taken hers?
Little was happy, the nightclub a hit,
and Bogan'? He was just fine.
Ant then, one day, Bogan
kicked out a girl
who had the nerve
to get pregnant!
Little had to help her out. It was
the human thing to do. Or was it?
"Began?"
"The waiter?"
"For now..."
Middle pleaded with Little to
leave Bogan and that club
and ditch that whole seedy street,
and come back home.
But no use.
So Middle switched the subject,
and told Little
about her, say, unsteady
waiter boyfriend,
and about everyone back at home.
It was like watching a movie again.
Only this time, the picture
looked real.
This one, hit Little straight
in the heart.
Forgiveness and Bogan mixed
like oil and water.
Plus he already had
his fill of Little.
The tide comes in, and
the tide goes out.
The waiter seems a little
too unserious
about his less-than-serious
relationship with Middle.
And just like that, the club
had a new boss. Again.
Little can't make heads or
tails of what's going on.
"I guess it's normal for humans to
always have to fight for love."
[IA gift!"
"If you know where Little is,
just bring the girl home!"
"Come on,let's hit the road!"
But Little had to stay.
There was just no turning back
from the choice she'd made.
"Take a banana at least."
Go find that witch.
Maybe she can get us out of this mess.
To save Little's life, her sisters
had to give up their living hair,
in exchange for a knife.
A knife made of metal hard as the sea.
It was simple. Little had
until daybreak to kill Bogan.
Kill him, your fish tail grows back,
and you get to go back
to your loving family.
But, if she doesn't make Bogan
pay for his betrayal,
Little will die at dawn's first light.
Just finish him!
Then you can come back.
And so, our port story must end.
Little was human for just
a short while.
She lived long enough,
to know the betrayal,
and paid the ultimate price.
No. No happily ever after, here.
But Little lived out her big dream.
She fell in love-- wild, burning
love» and tasted pure happiness.
Who are you, who is anybody to say--
for just a little while doesn't count?
So the next time the foam of the sea,
cools you with its touch,
remember Little.
No matter how far,
how stormy the ocean--
chase your dreams, risk it all.
For life, for hope, for love.
Just sail out, wherever it takes you.
Anchors up!