Animatsiya - Discussion

2. Cynir 2025-12-31 22:08:44 (edited 2025-12-31 22:09:35)

Winter was approaching the forest. While the Squirrel family and many other animals worked diligently to stockpile, Weasel did only one thing as sleep. And so each animal received its own consequences for its actions.

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THE SQUIRREL FAMILY
- Subtitles by Duy Kiền -

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Liberation Film Studio
The Animation Workshop

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Produced in 1977

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Scenarist and director : Vĩ Nguyên

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Composer : Lư Nhất Vũ
Orchestra : Lotus Art Troupe

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Come on, let's have breakfast!

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Look out, you might fall!

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From now on, stop teasing others!

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Y'all, why are you working so early?

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Plants should be watered
before the sun comes out.

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I am hurrying into
the deep forest to find honey.

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Excuse me!

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Mr Weasel!

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It's almost noon. Get up to work!

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That's tough!

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Wouldn't it be better to
just sleep in like I do?

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He's pathetically lazy.

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Winter is coming and he isn't worried.

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What just fell?

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Dad, so hungry!

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Hey, darling!

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Give them whatever you have left!

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Our food supplies ran out yesterday.

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Shut up!

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I'm going to steal a chicken for you.

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He refused to work
and wanted to be served,

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which is why he accepted it.

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THE END
© Animatsiya.net 2026

1. Admin 2025-12-30 01:56:11 (edited 2025-12-30 02:15:47)

I think this entry is one of the highlights of the series. Both directors did an excellent job, and made really fun films in which the animation is constantly moving, with objects transforming into other objects. For Vladimir Morozov, this might be his best film (and so much better than his contribution to Merry-Go-Round 6, made 11 years earlier). He wisely chooses to put the focus on the family and on how their hard gardening work brings them bounty, contrasting them with lazy Miron who sleeps all day and misses everything. So the script editors had nothing to complain about. But at the same time, he puts so much effort into making everything a joy to watch. The animators also really deserve credit here, as does the art director for the character design, which I find really satisfying. And of course, the composer, who created quite a catchy musical piece (played in typical 1980s Soviet synths style).

The second film by Mititello is rather more abstract and I'm not entirely sure what the takeaway is, if any (unless it's simply to teach very young kids to recognize the alphabet letters?), but all the transformations are still very fun to watch. The boy wins each "contest" by successfully creating one more letter of the word "rainbow", and once he's able to spell the whole word, everything turns from black and white to colour. So is this also meant to be about the benefits of open-mindedness and "friendship of the peoples"? I don't know, that might be a bit of a stretch. In any case, this was Mititello's second film, and she would go on to make some excellent ones in the years to come, although unfortunately her career was cut short by the crisis of the 1990s.

Both of these films, in their endless energy and playfulness, also remind me of Roze Stiebra's Looking-Rhymes (1988).

1. Cynir 2025-12-28 17:34:05

Based on the style of traditional Vietnamese paintings, film tells about a pioneer who stands up to save people from a solar disaster. But what happens after that is over ?

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Liberation Film Studio
The Documentary and Animation Workshop

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THE SOUND OF THE
ROOSTER CALLING FOR SUNLIGHT
- Subtitles by Duy Kiền -

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An old story told that:

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There were once twelve Sun Gods
who poured fire down upon human.

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They threw fire buckets down to Earth,

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causing people to get burns,

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the clothes to catch fire,
the trees into charcoal,

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the animals to hide in caves.

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An old story told that:

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There were twelve Sun Gods

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Who circled the sky every day

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Poured fire down upon Earth.

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The cities to be destroyed
And the villages in tears,

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Even the rivers to dry up.

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Fire burned everywhere,
Causing chaos to spread,

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Suffering to come to everyone.

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There was lived a boy
who was talented at crossbow.

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He was compassionate to
his old mother and miserable villagers.

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He decided to leave to
confront the Suns' disaster.

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He said goodbye to everyone and set off,

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with a determination to
shoot the Suns like Hậu Nghệ.

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There was a boy
Who was talented at crossbow,

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That every arrow finds its target.

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Because of his love for mother and villagers,

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He was determined to confront Suns' fire.

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He said goodbye to everyone,

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Before leaving to shoot the Suns.

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With the wings his mother had given him,

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He flew up towards the Suns in the sky.

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Only one Sun remained,

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But he was scared and hid.

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No one knows where he is hiding.

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Since then, the people have had to
live in darkness and desolation,

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with only a few lights.

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What should we do, Crossbow Boy?

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The boy immediately stood up,
then raised his crossbow and arrows.

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His eyes were fixed forward,

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as if he wanted to say that:

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I must find the Sun,
no matter how difficult it may be.

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Crossbow Boy, let us follow you!

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He heard the commotion
and turned around, then saw:

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Beard, Elephant, Eagle, Red Horse,

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even a young Rooster.

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Due to hardship,

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Eagle returned to the mountaintop.

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Elephant and Bear returned to
the deep forest.

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Only the exhausted Horse
and the Rooster remained.

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All the boy could do was sigh:

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Oh God, what should I do?

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His cry echoed through the clouds.

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Suddenly, from the dazzling light,

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Fairy Elder appeared.

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Despite all hardships,
if keep going, you'll get there.

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Go high and crow loudly!

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Rooster will call the Sun to come out.

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With no light, everything was dark,

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No torch can replace the solar halo.

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As darkness falls,
Life becomes miserable,

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We must find light for Earth.

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Despite the long distance,
We will overcome it.

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Despite the vast jungle,
We will overcome it.

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Wherever he hides,
We must find him.

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Let the Sun shine on everyone again!

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Let the Sun bring happiness to everyone!

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Where are you?
Come out here!

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It's still dark!
Let be happy!

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The Sun will shine everything.

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Flowers will bloom,
Life is full of laughter.

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The Sun will rejoice,

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All suffering will pass,
Leaving life with light.

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Liberation Film Studio &
Gold Turtle Animation Workshop

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Produced in Saïgon 1993

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THE END
© Animatsiya.net 2025

1. Cynir 2025-12-26 10:23:11

This is a simplified Chinese translation of the story.

2. Cynir 2025-12-24 15:55:16

I've long known that many Russians have tried to find information about the Vietnamese version of Well, Just You Wait!. Yes, it is indeed an imitation. However, in this version, all the characters have their own dialogue and fates.

In the early 1990s, Vietnamese society was undergoing economic recovery and also beginning urbanization, something previously considered forbid. Vietnamese animators designed two characters representing what was typical at the time : The Wolf embodying all the vices of a conservative and unmotivated society, while the Hare is merely a weak reaction of the new generation within a still troubled system. The series has only one character at the top, the Crow, who enjoys philosophy. This is essentially the fate of the intellectual class, those who are intelligent but powerless. In the 1990s, this series was often shown for free on the national television to promote reform, but it later lay dormant in archives. It wasn't until 2016 that government funding allowed the series to be made available online.

4. Cynir 2025-12-24 04:44:44 (edited 2025-12-24 04:44:56)

>>3

I am sorry! I have updated it again. In reality, there are two versions of the video on social media. The version provided by the film studio omitted the ending theme song and replaced it with a modern piece, which detracts from the film's spirit. My video was originally uploaded to Facebook 10 years ago, and it was taken from a film studio's website.

You know, that's the general situation in Vietnamese cinema. For many reasons, film scores or dialogue often disappear, so the videos are usually very bad. That is the reason for the low popularity of Vietnamese cinema and television.

3. Admin 2025-12-24 04:13:25

>>1
> I suddenly remembered The Gnomes and the Mountain King (Гномы и горный король)
Thanks for the recommendation, I hadn't seen that one yet. Unfortunately, I don't see any existing subtitles for it anywhere (in any language).
Adding obscure things to Wikipedia is tricky and often more trouble than it's worth. The only surefire way is to pore over their notability guidelines and find some unimpeachable source (especially a book or academic article). E.g. a film festival for a particular year I had added once was on the verge of being deleted until I found a mention of it in a scholarly book as being "one of the biggest cultural events" that year in the region (there was no online mention of it, because that part of the world was not very online at the time). Only then did the critics back off.

>>2

2. Cynir 2025-12-18 20:19:04 (edited 2025-12-24 04:37:24)

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Vietnam Animation JSC

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Legend has it that:

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Right here – Bích Đào Cave,

now known as Từ Thức Cave,

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belonging to Nga Thiện Commune,

Nga Sơn District, Thanh Hóa Province.

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Around the third year of Quang Thái

in the Trần Dynasty, or Gregorian 1390,

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it happened that:

Từ Thức Marrying a Fairy

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It seems that the love's warmth

still lingers to this day.

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- Subtitles by Duy Kiền -

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[Village festival]

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[Folksong Entering to the Pagoda]

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[Buddhist chanting]

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Glory to Buddha!

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Lady, why are you picking flowers?

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Novice Monks!

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I accidentally broke that stem.

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Then you have to pay for it.

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Have you ever heard this saying:

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Even though paying Buddha ten times,

he just smiled and refused to accept it.

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What will you pay us?

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Novice Monks!

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I have nothing to pay.

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We'll have to keep you here

until someone bails you out.

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Sir, the pagoda is a merciful place.

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Why can you keep me

for a small mistake?

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For the love of Buddha, forgive me!

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It can't be!

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Novice Monks!

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Why would you tease a flower

in the Buddhist sanctuary?

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Young master, we really

didn't mean to tease her.

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Why did you want to keep a maiden?

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She broke a flower stem

but she refused to pay it.

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How do you want her to pay?

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Sir, it has to be anything,

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because the pagoda is a fair place.

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I'll give you a brocade tunic.

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Release her immediately!

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Glory to Buddha Amitabha!

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Forgive us, young master!

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We were monks, but our hearts

were still not free from life dust.

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Young master, who are you?

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You have such a kind heart.

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Tell me your name!

I want to repay you.

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I am Từ Thức (awakening).

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Don't rush, please!

I am very grateful to you.

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When can I meet you again

to repay your kindness?

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Never mind, lady!

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Where did you come from...

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...to encounter such misfortune?

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Now cross Thần Phù Estuary

to reach the other side of sea,

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where there is a mountain

shaped like nine dragons.

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I will answer you there.

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Go ahead, Sir!

Don't be afraid!

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Now cross Thần Phù Estuary

to reach the other side of sea,

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where there is a mountain

shaped like nine dragons.

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I will answer you there.

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We bow in greeting, my lord!

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You have brought here

the warmth of the earthly world.

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But where is this?

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And who are you two?

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M'lord, this is a fairy word.

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We are servants of Fairy Queen.

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She's waiting for you, Sir.

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Welcome to young master!

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I am Giáng Hương (perfume),

who you saved at Peony Festival.

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Do you remember me, Sir?

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I do.

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But why are you here?

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Where is this place?

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A fairy world just for you.

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Thank you for bringing here

the warmth of earthly world,

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and the tolerance of gentleman!

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Thank you for bringing me

the beauty of the fairyland!

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Did this fairy mountain satisfy you?

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You have given me the honor

of visiting the fairy mountain.

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But I just...

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Is there anything else that worries you?

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I believe you did everything for me,

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while I was unable to reciprocate yet.

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Because I remember the earthly world.

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♪ O you who are enjoying yourself in the fairy mountain!

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♪ Do you remember the peaceful life in the earthly world?

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♪ O two boats drifting aimlessly!

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♪ If it's crowed there, come here!

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♪ My bed mat and net are ready here,

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♪ Come, my arm is as a pillow for you.

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Indeed for him,

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there's no place like the earthly world.

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Did I bring him unhappiness,

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yet I mistook it for happiness?

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00:15:15,500 --> 00:15:16,500

Từ Thức!

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I understood your feelings.

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00:15:19,500 --> 00:15:21,500

I don't want my own happiness...

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... to make the fairyland gloomy.

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I leave the decision to you.

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You brought me happiness

in the fairy mountain,

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but I couldn't control myself:

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I still yearn for the earthly world.

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It is my letter.

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You should only open it,

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when you don't want to return here.

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This is a peach of longevity,

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what to help you in times of trouble.

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00:16:05,500 --> 00:16:07,500

Thanh you, darling!

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00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:04,000

Elder!

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00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:07,500

Do you know of a family

that used to live here?

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Where have they gone?

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00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:13,000

Oh!

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How can I remember?

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A long time has passed.

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Now I am 130 years old,

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00:17:26,500 --> 00:17:29,000

and the oldest person in this village,

112

00:17:30,500 --> 00:17:33,500

but I know nothing about them.

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00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:40,000

Hey!

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Young man!

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00:17:43,500 --> 00:17:45,500

Don't be disappointed!

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00:17:46,500 --> 00:17:49,000

I remember now.

117

00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:53,500

When I was a boy,

118

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the elderly said that:

119

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This is a family with a son named Từ Thức,

120

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whom went to Peony Festival one day

and then disappeared in the fairyland.

121

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Sir!

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I am Từ Thức.

123

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♪ O you, who is going downstream,

124

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♪ Let me send a message to him that:

125

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♪ If he gets on a boat to go out to sea,

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♪ I'll row it no matter how hard it is.

127

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Farewell, darling!

128

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I wish you find happiness

in your earthly world soon.

129

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THE END

© Animatsiya.net 2025

Which film are these subtitles for? Is it on YouTube?

Replies: >>4

2. Admin 2025-12-24 04:12:52

>>1
Nice comment, Cynir, though that's the first time I've seen Gogol's name spelled Hohol. :) I don't think that's really being done in English yet (not even on Wikipedia). Maybe because he never wrote in Ukrainian. But maybe you're just ahead of the curve. There's some discussion about it on Reddit here.

1. Admin 2025-12-24 04:02:48 (edited 2025-12-24 04:05:30)

A rare well-drawn paint-on-glass animated film that's NOT directed by Aleksandr Petrov. About a boy who has a pretty terrible life at home and at school (partly through his own fault), who is saved by "the magic of Christmas" (and the tree was still put up at Christmas in Russia at the time that this story was written, not at New Year's). Although a good film (and the director's ONLY film), I do think that on the whole I prefer the original story. The film makes the boy who is the main character a little less nasty (it takes out all the times he bullies the other kids), adds a dream sequence (that ties in with a poem by Vladimir Nabokov that seems like it was made for this story, thought it was really written a few decades later), and plays up the hopefulness and the benefits of religious salvation, leaving out parts of the original story which are rather more ambivalent about the matter. The original story at least implies that the "magic", such as it is, does not last past Christmas, while the film ends on a hopeful note.

This is part of a trickle of animated films with a specifically religious message that have been funded in Russia in recent decades. They aren't especially well-represented on this site yet, but I should probably add some more of the most "notable" examples.

1. Admin 2025-12-22 03:53:26 (edited 2025-12-24 22:36:39)

Isn't it a bit strange that I've waited this long to add "Nu, pogodi!" to the site, and started with #8?
Well, this is a classic, beloved holiday-season cartoon, so it's timely.
I can't be neutral about this one; it's part of my childhood. It's quite fun.

Though it also showcases some Russia-specific holiday traditions that can be a bit tricky to describe to others. Like the kids gathering around the big fir tree, Father Frost (like Santa Claus, but originally something like "Old Man Cold" or "King Winter") coming out, and all of them chanting "Sne-gu-roch-ka" ("Snow Maiden") to get his daughter to come out and hand out the presents (her mother is Spring). The Snow Maiden isn't some old folk character, but was really created (for all intents and purposes) only in the late 19th century by Ostrovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov in their opera, about the power of love and the pagan Sun god to melt coldness in springtime. Later adapted into an animated feature in 1952 by Ivanov-Vano.

Odd bit of history there, but it's basically just a fun tradition for kids now.

There are a few reasons the series hasn't been here until now - the films are a bit deceptive in that they mostly have almost no dialogue, but they do have many songs with lyrics that can be tricky to translate (yet often not very important to the film itself). This one is a bit of an exception (along with #15) in that it has a song sung by the main characters very prominently in the middle of the action. I'm lucky that I was able to find a good, rhyming translation of it by Boris Anisimov, which I've edited further.

Also, this series is/was so famous that it seemed like it didn't really matter whether it was here or not. And, the sheer number of episodes was a bit intimidating. I felt like if I was going to add one, I should add all of them at once. Not great reasons, but it is what it is.

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