The Waif of Persephone (2006) User Reviews

The Waif of Persephone is an interestingly quaint animated short from Nick Cross

[tavm · 6/10 · 5 December 2009]

Just watched this Nick Cross animated short on vimeo video as linked from Cartoon Brew. In this one, some elves have taken a seed and-after planting it and spraying pail water on it-have grown it into a rose. That rose then becomes a fairy that helps the forest and its animals keep the springtime weather eternal. Then some devils interrupt the fun and steal the fairy, causing a long winter in her absence. So the elves go to the president to help a negotiation for her release. He does behind close doors and succeeds. However, when the fairy returns, she sings of something that brings something even worse...Quite a fascinating cartoon from Cross with a mixture of the cute and grotesque. And the whole message of mass consumption being corrupted marks quite a contrast to other animated stuff that celebrates such happenings. But while The Waif of Persephone is quite admirable for putting such a radical message on view, it's not very easy to enjoy especially since the singing voice of the fairy almost brings to mind nails on a chalkboard! Makes me half think the elves and animals watching her seemingly being entertained by it must all be tone deaf! And this short probably could have had a couple of minutes cut during some of the slow passages. Still, if you're in the mood for something a little different, Nick Cross' The Waif of Persephone is well worth a look.