What is the cartoon “Hedgehog in the Fog” really about? The creator revealed the meaning after 50 years

A touching cartoon about Hedgehog – really about hell.

“Hedgehog in the Fog” by Yuri Norshtein is a classic of Soviet animation. The animated film adaptation of Sergei Kozlov’s fairy tale in 1975 looked avant-garde and incomprehensible, but the interesting and dreamy picture attracted children, and the strange conversations of the characters attracted adults.

But the plot Fantasy short film Norshtein was still incomprehensible. Why does a hedgehog go to a small bear? Why does he always walk through the fog? Do these images arise in the main character’s mind – are they even real or do they live only in the character’s imagination?

The general producer of the TV channel “Friday!” Nicholas Cartosia He admitted that he loved the cartoon “Hedgehog in the Fog” and got a meeting with Yuri Norshtein. Kartozia took a signature from the creator of the cartoon and asked: “Do I understand correctly that the hedgehog carries a soul through hell in a backpack?”

Norshtein confirmed the opinion of the TV producer and revealed the idea for the cartoon. Yuri gave Kartozia a signature and written on the card: “The hedgehog carries his love through hell, where curiosity took him, and then the mystery of life that opens on his way.” Kartozia posted a picture of Norshtein’s explanation in his personal Telegram channel.

The industry has long considered a “pig in the mist” one of the best cartoons in historywhich is clearly deeper than just a children’s fairy tale. But, perhaps, the most important thing in this 10-minute cartoon is that the Hedgehog still keeps love and curiosity even in hell. And the phrase “After all, who besides you counts the stars?” sustaining hope and giving advice on the mission of each person in this world.

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