The Vanquishing of the Witch Baba Yaga

"On the twisted paths of disorientation, man maps out intricate tales of dark imagination. Elaborate cartographies of our own confusion whisper through the fairy tales of our childhood."

Telling the traditional Slavic folklore tale of Baba Yaga intermixed with footage of real life in the forests and cities is a reminder that our fables are intertwined with reality, and can never be separated from it. "Fu, fu, fu, I smell Russian flesh," the ominous witch says, before sharpening her teeth in preparation to eat up two children; there are clear overlaps between this story and Hansel and Gretel. The animation to the fairy tale is simple, but it's counterbalanced by poetic real-world imagery, and weighty narration that gives the overall work a mystical feeling. Beautifully conceived and executed.