Reviews

This is a strange and compelling little film which captures the weird innocence and unspoken sensuality of childhood. It's beautifully made, every shot is a feast for the eyes and ears, with a real richness of texture everywhere you look - the art direction, costume, lighting, music have clearly had much time and love lavished on them. I saw it at the Edinburgh Festival and then went to the videotheque and watched it again all over again. The little boy who plays the central character gives a beautiful performance, intense and watchful as three old ladies enter his life and bring their strange magic. Through his eyes they appear as birds, squawking and pecking and feeding on their cake. There is a range of really stunning animation too (stopframe, CG, shadowplay). You never know what is coming next with this film - an utter joy to watch.