Enchanting Adventures in the Magic Garden: A Captivating Film Review | Eye For Film

Talking about death can be tough, especially around kids. We want to shield them from hard truths, but they will learn about loss eventually—like when a pet dies or a grandparent passes away. Should we tell little white lies, or can the truth help them cope?

Enter “Tales of the Magic Garden,” a thoughtful animated film that addresses these difficult topics. Premiering at Berlinale’s Generation Kplus section, it has traveled the festival circuit and is now screening in Karlovy Vary. This film focuses on three siblings—Tom, Susan, and Derek—who cope with the loss of their beloved grandma, known for her storytelling. After her death, Susan takes on the role of storyteller to keep her memory alive.

Throughout the film, we see four tales about death and grief unfold. One story features kids who adopt a cat after their parents survive a car accident. The cat eventually becomes their guardian. Another tale follows a boy who discovers an enchanted cabin inhabited by an elderly woman grieving her partner. Finally, we meet a grumpy old man who learns to fly by remembering joyful moments with his late wife.

These stories come from Arnošt Goldram’s collection “Of Unwanted Things And People.” The film uses 3D stop-motion animation, blending unique styles for each story. The first tale is artistically rich, while the third offers a heartfelt metaphor wrapped in a colorful display. The second story stands out for its narrative depth and artistic diversity, breaking the norm with a retro comic book illustration during a flashback.

Creating this film wasn’t easy; it took nearly a decade to complete, partly due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s noteworthy that this project represents a true international collaboration among teams from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and France, each contributing equally to the budget and production. This teamwork showcases a shared vision that shines through the film.

While “Tales of the Magic Garden” isn’t flawless—some stories might benefit from deeper exploration—it runs just 71 minutes, making it suitable for both kids and their parents. It serves as a bridge for conversations about loss between generations, which is crucial in today’s world where children often face tough realities.

Recent research indicates that discussing grief with children can help them process feelings and develop emotional intelligence. According to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Child Psychology, children who talked openly about loss showed better emotional resilience. This film contributes to that conversation, providing a meaningful resource in the animation landscape that continues to evolve in Central and Eastern Europe.

With its commitment to tackling difficult subjects in a gentle manner, “Tales of the Magic Garden” stands out. It’s a film that encourages understanding and healing through the lens of storytelling—a tool as old as time that still holds significant power today.

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