Hannah Stephens' SVA 2019 Thesis. A mother finds herself caught in a terrible trap and must confront her captor before it’s too late for her own children.
It's also symbolic of being tied to an abusive relationship. The ring is what was keeping her from becoming a wolf, so when she got the ring off of him, she was able to go back to her true form. Thus, untying her from the relationship, and becoming "free" again.
'Cause that has messy implications. We don't kill abusers, no sense becoming free from one trap by becoming a murderer and getting stuck in a new one. In cases like this, confrontation is necessary and appropriate, and as we saw, the mother showed exactly how much restraint was necessary, taking back power without the need for lethal force.
For anyone who doesnt get the symbolism, the "hunter" originally lured his wife in by being kind. They get married and he immediately changes his ways, trapping her in an endless cycle. Her and the kids being "wolves" symbolizes them being themselves, hence why she started as a wolf. Them being humans represents the suppression of their own thoughts and emotions by the hunter, which is why he rules over them so harshly to make sure they never turn into a "wolf" and be able to think for themselves. Eventually when he is about to literally beat the kid, the wife snaps and starts thinking for herself again. She saves her kids and finally frees his toxic grip from the family, represented by his silver ring. The younger kids move on and forget, hence why they revert back to their unsurpassed, true selves, but the oldest kid has suffered permanent PTSD from abuse abusive relationship from her father because that has been all she ever knew her whole life, which is why she stays a human even during the end. It's a truly beautiful and well crafted story full of symbolism and I love it
in the end credits theres a fifth wolf so i think after some time on her own to find out who she really is she also came back home to see her mother and brothers as a free and healthy member of the family just like them and i find that little idea to be heartwarming onto the story
not really, it's more like she's healing from the abuse and is STARTING to go back to a wolf. at the beginning till the end can see her ears are almost always human like. when she drew that painting, she started to be a wolf again. herself again. but the flashforward to her leaving for NY shows her ears are now pointy again. it's meant to show she's healing very slowly. she didn't come back to her mom as a wolf and she didn't forget her pain. though it's been a few years, I hope she's okay even though she isn't real
@@NIGHTBLOODUSAGII want to believe that the mom didn’t force her to stay as a wolf all the time & gave her the freedom to change back to her human side whenever she wanted to
I love the contrast in the mother and father. he spent every waking moment trying to force his children to be who he wanted them to be. when the older sibling ended up not wanting to be a wolf, her mother didn't try to force her like the father did. she only went as far as reassuring her that being a wolf was not a bad thing. eventually, she came back to her family as a wolf, but it was on her own terms.
I think its not that she didnt want to be a wolf, its that the reason why she couldnt be one was the representation that the trauma the dad caused still affected her greatly, and thus couldnt be herself. And the mum knows that so she continues treating her gently. So when she finally becomes a wolf, i interpret that as her learning to accept herself, overcoming the trauma of not being allowed to be herself or else she would be hurt.
A neat thing with the daughter is how she’s still affected after he leaves. Unlike her mother, who lived out in the wild for most of her life, or her brothers, who were young enough to forget and move on, him being there threatening them for their wolf instincts was all she knew. When he left, her mother and brothers could finally be themselves and happy but she couldn’t. She was taught to be scared of herself, repressing herself so much that she appeared exactly human. Sadly abuse doesn’t go overnight, and it took her awhile with art as her outlet to figure out who she was.
After indoctrination for most of her life, the daughter had a hard time breaking out of it, fortunately her family was there to support and remind her, which is really wholesome. (also hey Sophie!)
@@budgiegryphon Your comment made me realize: there's a beautiful foil between how the Hunter and the Werewolf react to the girl's two sides! The Hunter always reacted to his daughter's wolf-like behavior with threats to harm her with silver. This taught her that changing into a wolf would mean pain. In contrast, the Werewolf (and her sons) supporting the daughter to go to art school shows they love her, whether she chooses to be a wolf or human. This is what must've encouraged the daughter to (occasionally) change into a wolf, because her family unconditionally accepted her and gave her a choice
So powerful! An amazing detail I noticed is in the begging when the hunter first lures in the wolf, he only strokes her once, yet this is enough for her to seek it out again. It's likely, based on the nature of abusive relations ships and the other references to them displayed throughout the short film, that that small pet is the only love the wolf has ever been shown and that, upon seeing a new world of affection, she choose to follow it. Abusers aren't dumb and will most of the time target individuals who have never been shown any affection and will latch on to the even the slightest hint of genuine love. "I couldn't leave him/her, she's/he's the only one who loves me,"
My daughter just sent me this video. She said it resonated with her because of me. I’m crying happy tears that she sees me in that light in her life as we’ve been through so much as a family that I beat myself about every day. No educational degree or title after my name can give me the reassurance that I’ve done something right in my life can beat my daughter thinking of me as the werewolf in this beautiful short film.
The symbolism in this is gorgeous- not only was the art style unique and intriguing, but what the hunter’s ring stands for (toxic abuse to his family and letting it show that he has control over them emotionally and physically), the way they parted, and the child still succeeding. It makes me wonder if the artist went through something similar.
I still haven't go throught this, My dad has abused my mom since before i was born, after that he tried to kill me by running over me and my grandma with a car. My parents called the Police and my dad ran away in other country, my mom found another man (12 years older than her) she currently live with him and he's also abusing her(emotionally) i've lived with my grandmas who used to beat me until i bleed (because i look like my father and they hate me cause i'm pansexual) i've been bullied my whole life, i have bad grades and i lost hope for having bright future. I just need to tell every person who went throught this, please i know things will get better don't lose hope like me, stay strong you got this
She expresses herself with art, and after she paints with her hands, they go back to the paws of a wolf (so back to her true self) I like that she doesn't completely go back to a wolf, trauma doesn't get erased easily. The axe forgets but the tree remembers.
It's why her mother encouraged her to leave. She needed a place to heal, even if it was far away from her and her brothers. And in the credits we see that eventually she does return to the family, healed enough to be her true self. Still scarred to be sure, but now healed enough to accept that it is indeed over and she is free.
The way her father scared her into being human and the fact she didn't draw herself with her mother hurt me but at the end credits she comes back and I love it
This reminds me of a selkie. Like When a man finds the selkie’s fur coat, then she would have to stay with him forever unless she finds it and makes her way back to the sea. Amazing Animation tho!
Ender Dragoness You talking about song of the sea? Cuz that was my favourite movie when I was a kid, and it’s perfect representation of Celtic mythology. Probably because the company who made it were Irish lmao
Selkie are a really powerful motif for showing complex (usually abusive) relationships. Also I really loved song of the seas art style - so unique and beautiful :D
If you wait until the ending credits, the big sister comes back and is fully able to transform into a Wolf. Before the end of the video she is able to grow the ears and claws, but she has to heal first. Brilliant absolutely brilliant!
This is beautiful He scared the wild out of the daughter when she was small, but she found it again after the mum defended her own! This is so beautiful. Take your wild with you.
Abusive relationships can be a hard thing to run from. Especially when in the beginning you see the kindness, the large displays of affection that lul you into safety. Before all they they loved sudden becomes what they hate, a hard cage to break from when you don't notice the bars. I am glad the video-ee family made it out and that others have too. Sadly all have not....
I love how the monster in the story isnt the werewolf, its the human, it really goes to show how abusive relationships can happen to ANYONE, even someone strong
I really love the oldest daughter's arc, how she's still effected by her father after he leaves and unlike her mother and brothers, she was never wild and is too old to forget him. she's shoved the wolf parts of herself so far down she has no connection with them, only beginning to become her full wolf self long after he leaves. it's a pretty quick moment but right after she's done painting she looks at her hands and is scared by the black on them - she's scared she's becoming like her father - but upon closer inspection she can see they're more similar to her mother. I really love the art style and how fluid the animation is, as well as when the daughter hugged her mother and the mother's tail was wagging, I thought that was very cute
I didn’t even notice the connection of her fearing her dark hands as her fearing becoming like her father!🤯 I simply thought it was residual fear of being herself. But, as you said, when she realized they were black paws and not dark hands, she was intrigued and no long afraid. Thank you for pointing that out.
I can't stop tearing up every time when the daughter learns her mother is a werewolf and runs off afraid, confused, completely overwhelmed and questioning her whole life. But her mother comes to comfort her, like she's saying, "No matter what form I take, I'm still your mother. And I'm glad you're okay." And the daughter hugs her back, "I'm glad you're okay too, Mom." And at the end when she embraces her whole family. Her mother, and her little brothers. They don't want her to go, but they understand this is something she needs to do to understand herself. The daughter looks back over to see them watching her board the bus, as if to say, "We'll always be here waiting for you when you come home." I also come from a bad home life, but it didn't play out with a happy ending between me and my mom like it did in this short story. She didn't come to my defense when I needed her.
The ring was the only thing the man had to claim authority over others. "You are mine, this proves it!" Ring comes off, he no longer has a role and leaves. I like how the round-eared daughter finds her pointy ears...
Yes, the ring also refers to the fact that werewolves and silver don’t mix very well, so not only was is an emotional way to keep her under his control but also a physical one.
I noticed it. But was confused as to whether we were seeing a different pup or if it was a production error or what. But i like the idea that it symbolizes her accepting that side of herself.
Kaitlyn Roberts I didn’t realize it at first! Then I rewatched and noticed when the man first scares the girl when she’s younger, it makes her hair straight and ears go round, as if he scared her enough to take it out of her. At 2:26
@@elizabethgatchell4546 oh!so since werewolves and silver don’t mix well,the ring is not just mental abuse because it’s saying that he has a the upper hand in the household but since it’s silver,it also represents physical abuse!right? :D
god, the ending when she appeared in her wolf form and her family ran to greet her made me burst into tears. this was so beautiful. and the mum's design was 5:53! i'm obsessed. every one of your short films is just incredible.
For some reason, I’m reminded of two sayings, 1) “Don’t fashion me into a maiden that needs saving from a dragon; I am the dragon, and I will eat you whole!” and 2) "Don’t try to throw me to the wolves, they come when I call."
The first saying reminds me of the Piers Anthony character called "the dragon maiden". Basically a were-dragon due to her dad being a dragon and her mom being a human (accidental love-potion shenanigans).
Beautifully done. She was wild and free. The gun symbolized his abusiveness, which she instinctively was on guard against. He lured her with beauty and kindness until she married him and his trap was sprung. Just so very well done
The way that the mother is forced to put up with his abuses for years without attacking or outwardly fighting back but snaps the second he lays a hand on her cubs made me cry, and how the werewolves are drawn in an almost liquid, ever changing state while the man is hardened and blocky is so amazing to view, and the fact that when she growls at the man and snaps her jaws he’s terrified, as if he was always afraid of her. I love when she transforms back and that shot of her standing tall and holding her children in her arms _gets_ me.
Very deep and lovely - The artist may enjoy the book " The Loop" by Nicholas Evans , a story about Wolves and surviving with our natures intact ... Truly beautiful film work -
I absolutly hated that book lol. The first few chapters nearly gave me depression and when I was on the half of the book I thought like "hey, its not that bad maybe it can have an happy ending" and then I scrolled to the last few pages and I wanted to throw the book in the corner of the room and burn it. It gave me 3 weeks of depression and a deep hatred for mankind lol. But it also made me glad that I'm vegetarien that I am not paying for such a disgusting industry.
I've been thinking of this a lot abusive relationship comparing it to the weakness of werewolves, silver Basically he led her with kindness trapped her and that silver ring which would be a weakness to werewolves putting fear in her as of course werewolves are sensitive to silver, which is basically saying in the terms of a relationship "youre mine, I have authority over you" and basically every time the wife starts becoming more wolf that's her becoming her true self or feeling more relaxed. Which of course he doesn't want, and once the ring came off he lost his authority over her and which also means, he lost his weapon against the wolf. Just what I was thinking tho :/
Something I noticed with this that I haven't seen people talk about is how when the mother wolf is human she has white eyes but when she's a wolf they're yellow. The kids all have white eyes, so even though they are wolves and have technically moved on, their eyes stay white showing that they will never quite forget about their life and will still have a part of it with them. Interesting detail that I thought was interesting
I love how the daughter comes back in the end credits as a wolf and is embraced by her mother and brothers, such a beautiful film with amazing symbolism.
I love how you used the imagery of the Selke creatures from mythology; except instead of forcing the mother to stay with him by taking her coat, he makes her stay with the imagery of the ring! I truly love what you’ve done in this animation, keep it up!
Great symbolism for an abusive relationship. He won her heart with gifts and smiles but before she knew it she was trapped by marriage, which would only bring her pain and misery [ the silver and her being a wolf ] I love that they got a happy ending, that you're showing that it's possible to be true to ones self and make a stand even when trapped by the bonds of blood and emotion.
The way the daughter even carries the flower her father gave her mother in her bag. It's her literal baggage. 🥺 And how she doesn't include herself in her painting of her family... I always come back to this animation. As a survivor or both spousal and parental abuse, thank you. This animation means so much to me.
I love wolves, I love cryptids, I love tales that feel like something you would hear from your grandmother in a quiet afternoon as a child, and as someone whose mother always protected me, and eventually took me away from my father, this entire animation was really, really touching
Y'know, it's always amazing to stumbleupon these underrated animations. They feel refreshingly indie, and uniquely bound to one creative mind that'll sprout into something larger one day. Fantastic work, and I'd love to see future works from you.
She was wild and he knew how to keep her not; but she could not be contained for her love was greater than his hate. This has so much depth I'm sobbing.
I really love the silver ring idea, silver being a werewolves weakness and the ring being well, the feeling of trapped in an abusive marriage. as well as using the ring to punch (or slap) them and it hurting more.
I absolutely love this, its a beautiful short film, my theory is it's a metaphor for abusive relationships, their mother was shown kindness and was tricked into a unhappy marriage, she stayed for her children but was finally able to break out and defend her family after they were hurt
It's so inspiring how you see the mother break free from the 'hunter' who's face is never shown, it's a perfect way to show how little he really means to the real pack, how they let her go and wait for her to come back from wherever being free to be herself and out of that 'hunter's' hands forever and that's a huge weight off her shoulders knowing her family is safe, and the daughter is safe to leave them even for a short while.
Very amazing, so the man traps her and forces her to be his wife and had 4 children, everytime she relaxed she would be more wolf than human, and he would threaten her with the ring which I assume is toxic to werewolfs. All her children are part werewolf and can transform and when they play he stops them, the oldest doesn't seem to worried and is very laid back because she doesn't seem to show werewolf characteristics. The man was going to hurt the child I assume and she ends up saving them and getting rid of the ring. The girl is afraid at first but eventually shows her werewolf side and was going to the city for some unknown reason but before she did in the end frame I think she decides to stay with her family in the woods.
She had a sketch book in her bag. I believe she was gonna go to NY to become an artist plus she also painted her mother and siblings werewolf forms with the moon
I believe the "wolf" side was a representation of freedom, of expression. The other siblings were young and still wild, because the father hadn't beaten it out of them, while the girl was probably the oldest and had pushed down that side of her by then. She got her ears and claws while drawing, because art was how she began finding that side of her, how she found herself. :) She left her family for New York to pursue that path (perhaps study, perhaps make a career), but in the end you see that allowed her to become a full wolf.
The ending makes me feel like this is based on the artist's life, and that makes this short even more powerful! Good job to everyone involved, this was beautiful
I was inspired by the thumbnail, but I realized that the Werewolf facing down the Hunter (at 4:10) is a reprise to the first time she met him (at 0:29). I think it's meaningful because while she's on guard in both situations, there's one difference between the two scenarios: not only does she have a reason not to trust him anymore, but she has something worth protecting from the Hunter, her family
It's kind of implied in Wolf Children that the unnamed wolf man might have gone through something similar to this in his own childhood. The narration says that he lived with relatives who never would have accepted him if they knew his true nature and that he suffered greatly growing up. Fortunately, he was lucky enough to find Hana, one of the most loving characters and best moms in anime.
Oh, in old ancient myths they are called silkeis, they shed their animal skin to their human form. But when their animal skin is stolen they can't become their true animal form.
That's selkies, and it refers to marine mammals. Werewolves are another thing entirely. These werewolves have a little more in common with the wolves of Ossory (now called wolfwalkers), but still plenty in common with traditional werewolves.
You can see at the bus scene that there is a leaf in her bag. I think its could be a sign of her still dealing with her abusive father but im so happy to see her going back to them in the credits. I had to face abuse this year too and i watched this video for so many times and now i come back in hopes it will help me overcome it. I was a silent watcher so far but now i want to say thank you for making this video. It really helps alot to understand, to sympathise and to show & teach empathy for the mother and her children
_THE LEAF IN HER BAG AT THE END_ I've watched this so many times and only now I noticed- That was the same leaf the man used to capture the mother at the start! Such an awesome detail!
This is my favorite animation in the universe! You have no idea how relatable this is for me! As a kid, my stepdad always made sure I was afraid of him, that way I could always be obedient. I’m still terrified of him, but my mother and I have been working on a foolproof plan to be finally rid of him. I also have clinical lycanthropy, so that’s another way I relate to this😅
I only realised near the end that the man wolf napped the lady and forced to have kids with her as I thought it was a flash back from before one big escape, silly me huh
I think the most wonderfully captured part of this animation is rediscovering who you are. The eldest child tries so hard to suppress the wolf side of her because of the abuse she suffered but without the abuser, she's able to let a little bit show and find herself. It's a really lovely subtle part of the animation that I only really caught on after a second watch. Healing takes time, accepting yourself after an abuser told you everything you were was wrong takes time
Its been awhile since I watched this so when I came across it again, I showed it to my mom who had a life this for a long time and she cried as she's finally free now. She's said this was exactly what it was like to live trapped with an abusive person and having to protect your kids😢
We have a story in my culture about a bear woman who marries and births children by a human man, he is protected by the family as long as he doesn’t hurt the mother. Eventually he misses his human home and cheats with a human girl. At the very moment he runs to be with the girl, the mother who had been offended and hurt emotionally stood by, as her children maul the man for his crime.
@@Xaforn the woman who married the beard (or bear mother) there are small difference between tellings but it’s a story from Tlingit, Haida, and likely a few other Southeast Alaskan traditions
Absolutley wonderful. I was invested the entire time, you have a goft for animation and storytelling. Thank you so much for making this and sharig it with the world!!! God loves you!
Honestly this is a lot like the situation that I am now. My mom is finally divorcing my ex stepdad. He never hit us, but he was SUPER manipulative. He and my mom had two of my brothers together, so it made it pretty difficult to leave. Eventually we left and we are staying at my grandpas house. My brothers are to young to be affected, my mom is super happy with her decision to leave, and I’m still pretty scared even though he’s gone. I’m doing okay, and happier though! Sorry for dumping this lol. Have a good day to anyone who actually read this XD
This is absolutely breathtaking, at once painful and beautiful. A parent's love can be one of the most powerful forces in one's life, and inversely, so can a parent's hate. A partner or lover can trick you into trusting them with false kindness, but that doesn't make you a fool. If there's anyone currently going through something like this, please know that it isn't your fault. There's nothing wrong with you. You're awesome, and as a wise woman once said: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Never let anyone take away your personhood, your individuality. I know that now especially is a difficult time and that many are forced to be in toxic environments, but if it's within your means, please seek help. No one deserves to be hurt or made to feel lesser than. You matter and you deserve happiness, even if you don't think so.
Okay so what I got was basically he enchanted her with beauty and grace, like a pretty mask, then when she fell in love with him so to speak, he showed his true colors, but it was too late, she was trapped. The ring was silver which hurts werewolves. She tried to look mote human and her children did the same. She tried to change for him, but he was abusive and she god fed up, she showed who she really was and knocked off the ring that was controling her, showing she was free from him, then she showed her children that change wasn’t always bad. And you can be anyone you want to be
This is amazing animation, with magic. heh I liked your style. You are doing really well. Thanks to creators like you... Now, I feel motivated to go on by training in animation.
The fact that the oldest daughter, after being given time to process and heal over what happened, was finally able to embrace herself and return to her mother and siblings as a wolf instead of being stuck as a human for the rest of her life. It's a great way to symbolize that no matter how traumatic and painful your experiences in life have been, it's always possible for you to find healing and discover yourself again, and embrace it
@@pequenaesposa3286 I guess the point is, she may prefer living as a human, but the fact she changes into a wolf at all (even to visit) symbolizes she's overcome the 'conditioning' the Hunter brought upon her.
This animation is amazing. At first it seems like it might be something cute, especially with the tone of the music from 1:14 - 1:41, and then the wolf is locked in a cage, showing that the human is not kind like he at first seemed. And the bit where she changes back to a wolf at 3:58 is absolutely beautiful, both the animation and the music. I just cant explain how much i love that bit, its so good.
I like this animation because it shows how hard it is for people with an abusive relationship can feel free by speaking out and I also love how it shows that a mother would do anything to keep her children safe
Easily one of my favorite short films. I can't stop watching it! It fills your mind with caution, love, power, protection over others, triumph, the follow up of ones past, and above all, lifes greatest lesson.
Pretty much my life. I'm in tears because I SWEAR that I had in mind this exact representation of how things are going and seeing it in front of my eyes, so well made, is amazing. It's like if you were in my head and gave life to my thoughts. Thank you for this work
Not saying those stories weren't rife with abuse neither. They were forced to marry the man who stole their pelt/cloak. However, they were told as sad love stories where the call of nature was stronger than the love they had for their children, though they did visit them.
Yes most stories of the Selkies were sad because they reflected the culture of how man treated their wives, in areas where they treated their wives well the stories would end happier.
