The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse

In honor of the 2022 Oscars awards, it would be fitting to talk about one of my favorite short animated films, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse this week. 

The animated film is based on a 2019 children's book by Charlie Mackesy which follows a young boy who is lost in the woods during the winter. As the boy is frightened and isolated, he meets new friends along the way — the mole, the fox, and the horse — and overcomes his fears in finding his way back home, learning life lessons along the way. 

As a lover of children's books, I thought this film was beautifully animated, and it was filled with simple loosely sketched visuals, replicating the illustrations shown in the 2019 children's book. That being said, the film pulled my heartstrings because the film touches on valuable life lessons like friendships, self-worth, overcoming fears, resilience, kindness, and many more. 

A major theme the film focuses on is reminding us to be kind. Being kind is important, especially in the society we live in today. Kindness is shown in the film when the mole and the boy risk their lives in saving the fox when he was trapped. 

One of my favorite themes that the movie touches on is our self-worth. The movie reminds us to love ourselves and that we are good enough just as we are. For example, in the movie, the horse was feeling like he could not truly be himself because all the other horses were jealous of him for having wings. When the horse reveals his wings to the boy, the mole, and the fox, all accepted his uniqueness and still loved him for who he is.

Overall the moral of the story is quite simple. It illuminates the idea of being kind to others and the courage to share our struggles, fears, and dreams. 

Looking at the visuals of the film, it is breathtaking. The style of the movie was primarily made with the use of ink and watercolor, which produced loose sketchy lines as well as captivating painted backgrounds — replicating the illustrations in the children's book. That being said, I enjoy the sketchy feel of the work as it allows us to feel and understand the illustrator's emotions throughout the film. 

All in all, it was very well-deserving for the film to be awarded the 2022 best short animated film as it contains beautiful illustrations and a profound message that touches the audience's hearts in a warm way.