Splash of glass waves Spring ice cracks like an old sheet, and white strata diverge in bizarre zigzags. The blood of the planet shines again with the heavenly blue, and the sorrows of men, sorrows and hopes are hidden in it. The virgin life rises from the hibernation of winter, and the cold waters tend to wash the shore with all the earthly force that has been dormant for months. The young eyes of the novice look into the blue surface, and they see the outlines, far from the fish. What wonder of the earth, what marvelous river? Girl, the beauty is unusual. Is she dead? No, she's alive, even though her skin is cold. The guy is in a hurry to save, warm the naked virgin, so in a hurry that he loses her. The rootless mermaid disappeared, the nameless enchantress evaporated. What's up? Where can I find it? There is no rest for the boy from now on, and the cross heavy from the teacher does not save the sinner from the delusion. If only I could see the child of the abyss of the river again, at least hear a voice, believe in a dream in reality. God is not angry! And he will hear the pier without a voiced desire, and again the nymph will appear to the gaze, but it will not appear to light the stars, but to perform the recompense, from which there is no salvation in the Orthodox faith.
Mermaids, innocent mermaids that everyone has heard of since childhood! In some places, the frightening, but always beautiful fairy tale of Andersen has accustomed many generations to the canonical image of the sea maiden with an indispensable fish tail. However, it’s time to learn the main myth about mermaids from ancient Slavic times. Nothing fishy in appearance, only long uncombed hair that frames the face, not always fabulously magnificent. They dream about mermaids, they are coveted, but in reality, who are they? The souls of the drowned women who were denied the right to paradise. Such is the maiden of Alexander Petrov, a unique artist, in the glass animation of which the slightest splash of waves is scattered by a thousand fragments, to then assemble into a new pattern. The name of the Russian master has become synonymous with elegant style, to create a masterpiece in which there is a task with many unknowns.
The glass fairy tale is unmerciful. The dreams of the boy-obedient are strictly opposed to the religious skepticism of the old monk. Given the name of the cartoon, the virgin embodies in a slender figure the mystery of female charm. Mermaid Petrova is much closer to sea sirens in their traditional view than to restless female spirits like Irish banshees. Sweet singing harmonizes with the dreams of a boy who has not yet known the cruelty of life and the power of disappointment. Heroes of Petrov almost always remain silent, only the old man who murmurs under his nose prayer prevents the audience from deception about the romanticity of this story. A charmed novice is almost in paradise with a mermaid wreath on. Why talk when he wants to stop a moment? Moreover, he has nothing to say, for the understanding of the miracle of the river is far from him. Does the young man believe in myth? By virtue of female beauty, he believes precisely, so much so that the precepts of the mentor remained somewhere in the old hut. The greater the cost of self-deception.
The river surf is not able to inspire fear of the pre-storm. In the “Mermaid” of Petrov, everything is so measured and leisurely, as if a mysterious maid swam to the ground for a long time, and she has nowhere to hurry. The artist plays with the tense feelings of the viewer, and, as if by metronome, unmistakably determines the moment for the climax. In a couple of seconds, the gamma of feelings twists in a dangerous spiral. Where's the truth? What's wrong? What's she here for? What kind of fire lit in the eyes of old men? A cascade of questions turns a cute tale into a genre whirlpool. As the glass of Petrov moves, a previously quiet river rises in a wave. No need to dig up ancient manuscripts in search of clues about the thoughts and goals of mermaids. What is beyond human understanding, most likely, will remain there, and myth will not give an answer if the question arises about the violation of the commandments of God. The fairy tale remains a fairy tale, but its morality is closer to scripture than to legends in which few people believe. On his glass, Alexander Petrov recreated innocent dreams, which are densely enclosed by the harsh truth of life. Love is replaced by disappointment, faith by betrayal, and only hope is alive as long as a person is able to answer for his mistakes.
Winter is over, spring is knocking on doors. There is no more ice on the river, but only a glass surface, the slightest ripples of which open the way to miracles. The art of Alexander Petrov is not a miracle, but it breathes life into every landscape of the beautiful Russian land. Pastoral paintings of the artist are cozy and reality, and fiction. Let mortals not yet know the mystery of drowned women, and it is unknown whether they turn into mermaids, but thanks to the revival of directorial fantasies, everyone can feel a little like a fairy taleteller. “The Mermaid” is a ten-minute medley of amazing animation, heartfelt flute sound and soul throws that faced the inexplicable. The film is unique, and every interested viewer can make sure of this.
9 out of 10