LETTER TO A PIG shares the traumatic memory of a Holocaust survivor who reads a letter in class from his personal journey during the war. This vivid storytelling setsĀ another young schoolgirl off on a dream of self-identity and collective trauma.Ā The film is an animated short that is being shown online during Spokaneās Jewish Film Festival. This creative endeavor was nominated for an Oscar this year.Ā
The director and writer, Tal Kantor, has said in interviews that the film is based on her own memory as a child when different Holocaust survivors would come to her grade school each year to speak about their experiences during World War II. The drawings in the 17-minute film are not complete. Parts are in shadows just as our brains often try to ācolorā our traumas, so we can move forward. Mixed media was used along with aĀ combination of hand-drawn animation and live-action footage.
LETTER TO A PIG sends a powerful message about antisemitism, animalism, and hatred for those who appear ādifferent.ā It is quirky and will probably make audiences squirm. This is a good thing. We are supposed to feel uncomfortable and, in the end, more humane. It is an important film.