RIGA IFF: Burvju dārza stāsti

David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar, Jean-Claude Rozec
The Tales from the Magic Garden
Pohádky po babičce
CZ, SK, SI, FR
2025, 71’, cs
Age 5+

 

After Grandma’s passing, the family home feels quiet, and Grandad is lost in thought. Tomík, Zuzanka and Derek were always captivated by their grandparents’ stories, but now, only memories remain. When it seems the door to imagination has shut, Zuzanka decides to reopen it – she’s ready to enchant her brothers with tales upon tales, so the family can once again feel the joy of togetherness. Inspired by Grandma, they’ll find themselves in a magical world – one sparkling with adventures, humour, and the colours of imagination. Along the way, they’ll meet a grey cat, a not–so–frightening creature, and a flying man – and they’ll always be accompanied by the finest plots from Grandma’s stories.

 

Nothing is more powerful than imagination that captivates generations. With this idea in mind, four animation directors – Czech Súkup, Slovak Pašš, Slovenian Vidmar, and Frenchman Rozec – inspire every single viewer, awakening a thirst for adventure and the power of memory. This stop–motion feature–length puppet animation is based on the stories of Czech author Arnošt Goldflam. The film offers a tender conversation for both young and seasoned viewers about loss and our emotional world when we feel alone. It has been screened in the prestigious Generation Kplus section at the Berlinale and was a nominee in the Contrechamp competition at Annecy. Honouring the rich traditions of Czech animation, the film evokes the attentiveness of Dickens, the cheeky spirit of Dahl, and the warmth that only Lindgren can describe.