The Mole and the Sea is a lovely story with no dialogue. Enlivened by vibrant percussion and sounds, it is driven first and foremost by its humour. Jaunty holiday sounds accompany the mole as she sets off on her hopeful way, digging deep in pursuit of her dream as she bids to escape the routine and smell of the rubbish she has to put up with on a daily basis. The place where this little character lives is far from the enchanting postcard scene she sees in a travel magazine. For she doesn’t spend her days lounging under coconut trees, instead she is surrounded by brambles, sardine tins and old shoes. Having given up expecting anything good from this grimy suburb by busy railway tracks, she starts digging in search of the sun. Unfortunately the dream turns out to be no better than reality: the beach is packed, and everyone there is noisy. This is not exactly the sun-drenched haven the mole had been hoping for so much. What’s more, she gets heckled. And worst of all, the place is an absolute dump! Truly, the grass is not greener on the other side. Happily, all good things come to those who wait. When night fall the tourists head off, leaving the place to those who know how to make the most of it, under the bright moonlight, to the sound of the lapping sea …
With its simple artwork and story, The Mole and the Sea will appeal both to young viewers and grown-ups. As the film plays on the gaps between dreams and reality, the hero finds himself completely at odds with his bothersome holiday companions. But even though the situation seems hopeless, space is still found for humour and several scenes in this Russian short film are sure to make viewers burst out laughing. Especially since, in just five minutes, the film makes sure to remind us that, while nature is beautiful, we must not forget to protect it from human stupidity and the waste that so quickly covers the sand.
