Fishboy | Stop Motion Animated Short Film about Guilt

Fish Boy lives in darkness, his guilt about the past slowly consuming him.
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Fish Boy
Directed by Anita Bruvere
"As a man with a fish head battles his inner demons, he’s forced to make a decision when his struggles start affecting the person closest to him. In Anita Bruvere’s impressive stop-motion short Fishboy, the director explores the theme of guilt and its repercussions by combining hand-crafted puppets and paint on glass animation to make this surreal narrative feel emotionally palpable and intensely compelling.
Bruvere shared with us that “the idea was born from the image of a man with a fish head instead of a human head”. From that starting point, with screenwriter Bethe Townsend, they started thinking about what life would be like for this character and built their narrative around that premise. Explaining that the film is essentially “a couple having a conversation about their relationship, but shown in a metaphorical way”, the director adds that she “wanted to explore the themes of loss and guilt and how those feelings can affect people around the person experiencing those feelings”. In the conversations between the on-screen couple, guilt almost becomes a character with a physical presence, as Bruvere effectively makes the audience “visualise what the couple feels”.
While the narrative is quite specific, the metaphor allows everyone to experience the film in their own way and potentially relate to some of its aspects differently. As Bruvere explains: “I’m interested in connecting the personal to the universal and in telling stories that use unconventional narratives to create a strong sensation or feeling for the viewer”. Ultimately, Fishboy is a universal enough story that the majority of viewers should find it emotionally engaging. However, by approaching and developing the story from the partner’s perspective as well it subverts expectations, becoming less conventional and more powerful, especially with that ending.
With such an ambitious screenplay, an equally impressive level of craft was needed to bring the filmmakers’ vision to the screen. Thankfully, Bruvere, an experienced stop-motion animator, does not disappoint and her textured approach is an essential component in the success of the short. Using both the puppet stop motion and the paint on glass techniques gives a visual depth to this metaphoric tale and enhances its emotional depth. With the paint on glass scenes capturing the memories in two dimensions, the present is represented in a more palpable way with the puppets. Bruvere confesses that representing the sea was challenging, as it illustrates much more than a simple body of water, describing it as “comforting and suffocating at the same time”. The result is nothing short of breathtaking, her depiction serves the story on the deepest level by being more effective and visceral than any spoken or unspoken dialogue between the characters.
Fishboy had a successful festival run during the 2018/2019 season and Bruvere has gone on to direct another animated short film Home, which premiered at Annecy in 2020 and will hopefully have its online debut soon. Bruvere also works as a modelmaker and animator for films, ads and TV, with credits including previous S/W pick Frank’s Joke (also produced by Shereen Ali) and Edgar Wright’s debut documentary The Sparks Brothers." - S/W Curator Céline Roustan
Bertrand Rocourt - Cinematographer
Alice La Trobe - Production Designer
Tine Lykke Jensen - Editor
Seymour Milton - Composer
Breen Turner - Sound Designer
Laura Jane Dart - Colourist
Amy Gibson - Compositor
Cast
Hugh Skinner - Fish Boy
Emily Taaffe - Laura
Reproduced on this channel with the permission of the filmmakers.

[@santosh99samuel]

If the water represents haunting issues, I think him having a fish head is the ability to cope under the water from years of dealing with it.

[@bebble985]

It’s not ability; rather, it is the scars of indulging in destructive actions under depression which has marred him, and made him unrecognizable. The water is depression. When he experiences the good parts of life, the depression sinks into the distance.

[@ashleewhite7775]

The water is guilt. He blames himself, for whatever happened and the drowning symbolizes his allowance of the guilt to eat him alive.

[@ATeyken]

The morale of the story is, don't push epileptics into the sea. Thank you for raising awareness on this pressing issue.

[@Vee_of_the_Weald]

Fishy subject for sure

[@ATeyken]

@@Vee_of_the_Weald you made my day, thank you 🌞

[@ainaaina4505]

I understand that the epileptic episode looked like a flopping fish at times

[@giovannabmagalhaes]

What I particularly got from this: He and his sister went to play on a pier when suddenly his sister had a seizure, he didn't know what was going on or what to do, for the boy, the convulsive movements that his sister made were like a drowning fish, so he, being a kid, pushes her in the water hoping that it can help her just like the fish, which of course doesn't work, and she drowns. The guilt and the mourning remains with him and keep chasing him for decades, even as an adult, represented by the water that constantly follows him like a monster, the adult version of his sister is probably a representation of him trying to get over it and move on, telling himself it wasn't his fault, after all he was just a kid who didn't know what he was doing, but no matter how calm things get for a while, the "water" always eventually comes back to haunt him. When he "saves" the adult version of his sister, means that what's done is done, he can't fix it, nothing will ever change what happened, and that's when he realizes he'll never get over it, and finally decides to kill himself by drowning. In the last few seconds, two fish are shown swimming together, representing his soul reuniting with his sister's.

[@CrazyWarriorCatLady]

I believe the woman he saved is his wife/significant other. It shows how grief can affect those around us as well. Rather than let her be consumed by his grief as well, he freed her from it by taking his own life, giving in to his grief once and for all.

[@choko8707]

@@CrazyWarriorCatLady kind of agree, but now the woman who tried to help him might also get haunted by guilt

[@CrazyWarriorCatLady]

@@choko8707 of course. It’s a vicious cycle that never ends. That’s what makes it all so heartbreaking.

[@IlyaWazuhiru]

​@@CrazyWarriorCatLady except that's selfish and there's therapy

[@bobzillathebabykicker2981]

@@IlyaWazuhiru Shellfish*

[@caprituna]

the importance of color really got me in this one. i love how everything is cold, except for the children, the fish they saved, and the woman. to me the yellow represents happiness, good memories, and at the end he gives up the most yellow element in his life to go after a fading happiness, something that brings up good memories but is also tied to the sadness of what happened. amazing movie!

[@jeenandmeforever8164]

It’s scary, you don’t want to drown, but when you can’t trust yourself, the knowledge you can’t drag others down with you, that’s the only comfort you can find.

[@lorio5003]

this is how survivor's guilt feels, when someone dies and you're left to cope. i know that guilt is mostly associated with surviving after a traumatic event when others die, but i think you go through something similar when someone close to you dies and you have to live. after all, part of the guilt is that you get to live and they don't. maybe you feel that they deserved to live more than you. and even if you couldn't have really saved them, you still blame yourself that you didn't do something that would have made everything turn out different. you no longer have the support of that person that would have helped you through things. unless someone experiences such a thing, the people that try to offer support cannot come close to offering real help. sad and beautifully done

[@adriannamatos865]

This is a beautiful piece of work. I interpreted this as how PTSD can consume you like you’re drowning. The trauma consumes him like he’s drowning.

[@Brainalicious]

And it overflows to all those around him.

[@m2pozad]

I wonder how many of those with mental health issues will find parallels to their experiences here.

[@shardinhand1243]

personaly the more i fall into my depression the more it hurts to be around others, the less i care about my own health and future, and this hurts the person who cares most for me, progress is slow and always under threat of being lost.

[@shardinhand1243]

but i cannot go under the waves yet.

[@m2pozad]

@@shardinhand1243 I've seen it all turn around through romantic love and related self-esteem elevation.

[@Suggestive_Carp]

@@shardinhand1243 being a fish myself, I hope you find the love for yourself again- you deserve it. You deserve to share it with others. It's hard, but help makes it easier- please reach out for help. Stay fishy

[@shardinhand1243]

@@Suggestive_Carp i go to weekly counciling and i highly recomend it, i dont know that i would be alive today if i hadint started going.

[@fredrikhallstrom8639]

Man - this was one of the most powerful film experiences I've had in a while.

[@iasminrios2377]

i know omg me too

[@blackholesun3152]

Loved the denim sea! The sea was all consuming.

[@shortoftheweek]

Couldn't agree more! It adds so much beautiful texture.

[@lisanidog8178]

Oh this was painful! I carry a guilt. In 1995 my fiancé was at work and he passed quickly of a heart attack. A month earlier I took him to the hospital. All the tests came out negative. He insisted on leaving. The doctor warned me he should stay. But Mike wanted out so we left. I made sure he took his heart pills. Would he have survived if he stayed? A would he have passed anyway. I told him once if he ever died before me I’d commit suicide to be with him. He said we wouldn’t know each other on the other side. Do you want that? I said no. No more talk about dying he said. But what I admired about him was that he let me say it. What I didn’t know was how strong a bond we had. I lived in the apartment he moved things into but never got to live in, for five years. I had phone grief counciling then in person counciling. It didn’t stop my guilt or depression. Mike decided he’d try to comfort me, and knowing I was a Sensitive he did things. He’s whisper in my ear. He’d run a finger down my nose as he did in life. He’d turn his pictures face down. He never manifested as an apparition. I told him of the time I saw one that scared me so Mike didn’t. But I told him he was scaring me. So he came in dreams. We’d walk on a beach hand in hand saying not a word. Or I’d be in a white glowing room, he’d be standing there staring at me until I saw him and disappear. I can’t control my dreams. All I know is when I start missing him a lot he comes then I feel better for a year or two. I sleep in the bed I helped him make. One night I felt his hand on my side to calm my restlessness before I pushed it off. He’s still watching over me. But the guilt is still there. Would he still be alive had I insisted he stay in the hospital when he wanted to go. He was 41. I long ago smoked his last pack of cigarettes. He had upper dentures and his parents gave me them. I feel like I should’ve made him stay in that hospital. I went through two years of depression after he passed. The cat at the time I had helped me through it. I think Mike knew it was his time. He sent me home after I had lunch with him at his work. He never did that before. He knew I saw my father pass in hospice and Mike didn’t want to put me through it. I still remember our last words before ai left. “You love me?” Mike grinned and said “I’ll think about it.” and he gave me a big hug. I sensed something was off. I waited in the parking lot. Go in? Go home? We were living with his folks at the time until the apartment was all set. I left. My Michael knew it was his time. So he had nothing against me being released from the hospital instead of insisting he stay. Doesn’t stop my guilt.

[@HesAbnormal]

I hope You’re doing well friend.. blessings to you.

[@lisanidog8178]

@@HesAbnormal better. Thanks.

[@ehtx]

I am sorry for mike and for you Think it is better to move from his town And fill your time by social work like some charity association or an orphanage I am sorry if my words look hard but I am really very sorry for both of you

[@lisanidog8178]

@@ehtx I still live in his town and he’s been dead since 1995 from his heart attack at only 41. Don’t get the charity and orphanage reference.

[@Monarchthebackhander]

Hey I’m so sorry that’s such a powerful testimony. God bless you!

[@caitlinpenny7412]

Guilt can be truly all consuming. You hate yourself for whatever you did (or think you did) and part of wants so badly to be punished to somehow right the scales of the universe. But the problem with most guilt is that as an adult there is no easy answer. You aren’t a child anymore who can be put in time out and when you get up all is forgiven. As we grow older our mistakes feel like they grow larger and apologies seem hollow… sorry to be grim. Story hit me hard… I struggle with guilt constantly. For a long time i felt as this guy felt that the weight of my guilt was unforgivable, that I therefore deserved the misery I felt… even though what I had “done” was all in my head

[@nhukcire]

Since this is Fishboy, wouldn't this be a film about "Gill-t?"

[@1thebem]

One of the best animation films I’ve seen and I’ve seen a lot! So true, well observed - sometimes it’s even hard to observe these things if you are the fish. The part where the girl was laughing and saying how good it was to see you laugh because she had pulled you into her world and that’s what she wanted to see. The understanding of this film and amazing animation …. just OUTSTANDING

[@user-wn6ku6jq4s]

This whole representation was devastatingly artistic and representative of so many struggles I face daily. Thank you for putting in the heart and the work to bring a better understanding of grief and guilt to the audience that we pray never has to endure it.

[@mcbluematter]

This is just such a beautiful piece of art. So sensitive and so many ways to look at this. This is the work of a true artist

[@FayeVert]

Damn. This tore me up. Yesterday I found out a friend died by suicide. Today is the 3rd anniversary of my dad's death. I needed this. Thanks, algorithm.

[@IsabellaBabb-do1xo]

I’m truly sorry for your loss ❤️

[@TsubasaAnimations]

Good ass lighting in this

[@john-ic5pz]

ass lighting? I didn't notice the asses were especially well lit. I'll have to watch again, ty!

[@jadedmonk7001]

Much love to all who read this. May your day be blessed❤

[@shortoftheweek]

Thank you for your comment and for watching.

[@diorelmylovesjesus]

i think the fish represents how like it struggled to breathe but you could save it. but with the sister you couldn't. so the water is him crying and mourning! and he tries to hide his tears and puts them away. Him putting his head in the water is a reflection of him sinking into the past and remembering what happened-- so he cries. and when someone comes and knocks on his door he doesn't tell them what he's going through. NOWW then i figured out that he pushed his sister in the water. so the fish really just was something that made him think to push his sister in the water (WHAT BAFOONARYYY) And so the thing i said about him drowning in his problems so far seems accurate. lets keep going and see! now he is in the fountain.. my goodness. I FEEL SO BAD! but still thats him feeling guilty drowning in his problems and she's comforting him. OH MY GOODNESS now they're both drowning. I'm telling you this is them getting sad and drowning in their problems gosh this is relatable- oh... he didn't get over his problems. INSTEAD- HE STAYED IN THE WATER. So basically she's the one who got out and healed from her trauma BUTT he did not. I KNOW U SEE THAT COMMENT SAYING HE KILLED HIMSELF! but i don't think thats it, but if it is i would be so sad

[@ChelseaLupkin]

Hit me right in the feels.

[@shortoftheweek]

So many FEELS!

[@garrethobbs8737]

This is… my favourite short film EVER! I will watch so many times in the future.

[@wayneclarke1727]

This is majestic...Almost magical..so close yet so far

[@GazelleAutomations]

Really beautifully done (everything's so gorgeous-looking, too!). So enjoyed this experience.

[@ThornShadowWolf]

Very impressed with this artistically. The water being made out of cloth worked so well, and that scene near the beginning where he scoops up the water and puts it back in the sink was so creative. Really goes to show what you can do with a medium when you know how to use it.

[@samirahoseini1608]

I love water and the waves!

[@cihanozalp3563]

Can you add subtitles?

[@IsabellaBabb-do1xo]

I’m gonna type what I hear because subtitles still aren’t up: First scene: (Water splashing, Fish Boy gasping for breathe when he lifts his head from the sink, girl gasping when she falls on dock, eerie violin in background) Girl: (knocking) Girl: “Hey…you know I’m always here to talk to.” Fish: (sigh) “pointless, talking, won’t help.” Girl: (laughing) Fish: “What?” Girl: “Nothing” (chuckles) Fish: “what are you laughing at?” Girl: “it’s just been a while since I’ve seeen you so ungloomy” Fish: “how are you so kind?” Girl: “I think I might have just been born amazing.” Fish: (chuckles) Girl: “it’s so good to hear your laugh” Dock scene: (girl gasping, eerie music, water splashing) Fish: “what.. what have I done” (girl gently shushing him) Girl: “shhh.. it’s okay. It’s okay you’re here with me.” Girl: “please. You can’t keep blaming yourself.” Fish: “I-what? I-“ (yells frustratedly) (Girl sobbing) Fish: “oh no.” Underwater scene: (silent exept for muffled fish moving and eerie music) Girl/fish: (gasping for breath) Girl: (crying) Fish: “I can’t. I’m sorry.” (Water splashing, girl quietly crying, music turns happier in the end with only a hint of sad violin) Hope this helps :)

[@protastudios]

Wow. I'm in total awe.

[@danhurst9048]

Thank goodness i quit doing drugs in the 1970s.if i would have seen this on some psychedelic,i might still be scarred to this day... But i like this,and my compliments to the talents and creativity of whoever made it

[@carlrose8619]

the scream i scrumpt when he pushed her off

[@themindofjman]

This was great. Loved the stop motion work as well as the visual metaphor of the water worked perfectly. Congratulations!

[@ascendingdeity]

this is beautiful.

[@couragethecowardlydog8942]

Such an interesting short! There's a lot of story in only 8 min! ❤️

[@kaz3260]

this is truly amazing.

[@joedirt7640]

That is some depressing carp!

[@shortoftheweek]

How do you think it Cod be improved?

[@IsabellaBabb-do1xo]

Salmon had to say it.

[@digitalchemist3867]

part of the water looked like the plastic backside of Velcro. i loved it lol.

[@zombypuppy]

this was beautifully done

[@sern9120]

A piece of Art . Of particular meaning to some of us .

[@shardinhand1243]

this was horrible, but beautiful... thank you.

[@shortoftheweek]

🤣 You're welcome? Thanks for watching.

[@shardinhand1243]

@@shortoftheweek

[@pumpkinpatch5]

She tried to save me. But I can’t be saved. Not even by myself.

[@Sorfinali]

Oh man I really needed this

[@jamesik84]

Ok and this is art.

[@ainaaina4505]

Very strong movie, really touched me…

[@jay_dots3084]

Incredibly well done

[@pannazuzanna9546]

what I personally see here, is my relationship with my boyfriend. Well... ex boyfriend. We broke up a few days ago because we couldn't cope with our hard pasts. Toxic coping mechanisms were destroying our love, which was the strongest feeling I experienced in my whole life. We did a lot of unintentional hurt to each other. Now, maybe, we'll heal. Or we will continue this endless circle of guilt, shame, hatred and fear. Who knows. Sometimes splitting is the only way to show pndestranding and love. This is what I've also read from this animation. The split was at this point the only healthy way to deal with it.

[@roughedgerodeinvestigation383]

This is gorgeous

[@valkyrasonara1797]

Shape of Water 2 looks good! Cant wait to see it in cinema 😁

[@lizyfoxXD]

I love that fishman so much! I feel bad for him 😢

[@doe8151]

The all consuming demonic sea portraits so accurately what it feels like. Hands up for all the people involved in this brutiful peace of art. Brutal but so beautiful. 🤍 I do really loved the Sound effects and the music.

[@gustavobertin5839]

Amazing!!❤

[@wayneclarke1727]

I loved the symplicity

[@eelboy]

it was really simple but also had a lot of layers

[@cnoshoes7049]

Yeah man, recon ya nailed it, demon's dragging him down,I have that,but all my life, must be much worse to happen later,after paradise experience earlier.x

[@mukbangreversed]

Beautifully crafted work!

[@shortoftheweek]

The director Anita Bruvere is one very talented creator!

[@grahamrdyer6322]

No fish for tea tonight then !

[@selenawilllams8584]

❤❤❤😫love it

[@HydraLunatic]

I feel like the water represents the guilt, always near and louder at times but always there looming in the background. When he saves the woman in yellow the guilt stops him from getting out almost as if to say “ you need to face this and you can’t avoid it forever” so he stays and faces his guilt and in that maybe finding peace about what happened to his sister.

[@J33319]

Love it

[@shardinhand1243]

he couldint let go of his depression from his mistake, and took his own life, but at least he rejoined with his sister, in the afterlife.

[@TwinAquarius484]

It's a tragic story of Pisces.

[@pedrogonzalocaballerotorre409]

Very interesting!

[@jacobbaranowski]

Great 👍

[@isabelab.s.p.1727]

I had a dream once of people turning into monsters that represented their issues. I eventually turned into a kid of sea creature, because of guilt. And in the dream, it was pretty clear i had GILLS because of the GUILT (thank you for the pun subconcious) So yeah, this made me remember that

[@floatingdoor]

This is absolutely beautiful.

[@shortoftheweek]

Thanks for watching! We love this short so much.

[@imaginaryzone777]

Great

[@merlichtberthier0001]

Incredible NTFS still welcomes Great Artists, as it seems… :)

[@norbertoescobedo4840]

Very good video

[@tb4546]

I often feel the strange pull of fate. Telling me what while I may have escaped for now, my kismet is still back there. Waiting for me. One day, I shall return, and the few I’ve gathered will try to pull me back. The same answer. I’m sorry, I can’t. My place is there one day.

[@ServalsTrips]

He did not kill himself, he came to terms with the fact that death for us is a mystery behind which there is nothing and that the image of an adult sister is not reality but part of an accusing fantasy.

[@starjen222]

I don’t agree with that interpretation

[@crishzi]

Amasing

[@BRITTSCOTTCLARK]

I love this ❤️

[@shortoftheweek]

Awww. Thanks for watching!

[@fobpatd1234]

he was guilty.....when you are drowning in your own sorrows so much, you become accustom to them. then you will drown others. he let her go to fix himself

[@PulpHouseHorror]

Wow

[@TS-1267]

...FISHBOY Just Needs 2 Other Folk Who Think That They're Both Walking, Talking Portion of Chip's & A Carton of Mushy Peas and He'll Just Fine...1:44

[@watching95]

I sea what you did there.

[@itsafish4600]

feesh

[@StephenSternGoth]

I'm afraid if I make a move it will be considered unnatural

[@user-hk1yc5gp1j]

عمل جيدا ممتاذ جدا❤❤❤❤ ‏‪0:17‬‏

[@spartanq201dexterbrother]

Cute

[@IlyaWazuhiru]

how very sad

[@ammonite400]

Does a fish even know that it’s in water?

[@starjen222]

This reminds me of Omori

[@SB5SimulationsFerroviairesEEP]

Merci du partage! Scénario un peu étrange quand même. Sinon la jeune femme blonde fait penser à la comédienne Française Arielle Dombasle, est une coïncidence ou non? Stéph.

[@dilanecemdeniz]

We all know a fishboy or fishgirl .

[@DethronerX]

Love it, but i cant watch because the volume is so low, I can barely hear

[@shardinhand1243]

i have the volume on 100 and i cant hear what they say.

[@user-bp4wt2zq4p]

What is guilt? Sounds like a you problem

[@weasel_husband]

sick of people looking for a manic pixie dream girl but also good film. awesome sound design

[@brianedwards7142]

Couldn't hear the dialogue.

[@rebecafernandap.8781]

🧐

[@abraxasjinx5207]

That is a cop out ending, and he still leaves his partner to contend alone with the waves that he brought upon her. Su1c1de is a hurtful way to go, if you have anyone who you care about, who cares about you. On top of that, you'll never get to find out how it ends if you write the ending yourself halfway through; it's a sucker's game. Live long, and ride god's smarmy little face.

[@abraxasjinx5207]

Beautiful animation, btw.

[@john-ic5pz]

my mother used to guilt me with that selfish copout thing. thing is, she never did a thing to try to help, just more criticism and pressure. how selfish is it to insist your loved one stays here in a life that's daily misery, emptiness, and/or agony even for your sake, so you don't have to miss them? I often wonder how much of "don't do it" is for who's sake

[@squeegee-c]

I understand what you’re trying to say but I’m struggling to have sympathy for a guy who pushed a seizing child off a dock. Who does that?!?

[@bilwisss]

if you have to tell the viewer what it is about, something is lost.

[@PirateJohnson]

Agreed.

[@PirateJohnson]

That makes me think the creator already had the expectations to be MisUnderstood, either for pompous SnowFlakey reasons, or the exact opposite feeling, inferiority issues due to timidness/AbuseRelated mentality... They either think they're too smart for the audience, it they're so dumb that the audience wouldn't understand it.

[@Chad.Commenter]

I think the movie was as obvious has obvious gets, even the part where the little girl transformed into a fish when she was having a fit was not needed, but they artist still kept that scene in. I got it even though I clicked the video without even reading the whole title. If you really didn't understand this video then maybe movies really aren't for you. And I'm not being facetious, I'm someone who proudly says that I didn't understand those big hollywood movies like Donnie Darko because they really are not clear enough.

[@bilwisss]

​@@Chad.Commenter you can only get what you get from it. ( pretty sure, your not suppose to 100% get donnie darko, even after a few viewings. the unanswered is the pillow they give you to rest your head on. some folks cant stand that as a story telling tactic.)

[@thisisbetterthanmyprevious6674]

It seemed pretty obvious to me, I don’t know what’s wrong with y’all.

[@supme7558]

Wth did i just watch

[@supme7558]

Makes 0 sense