Directed by Heiki Ernits and Janno Poldma
in 2007, Lotte from Gadgetville is the
first animated feature film from Estonia and is considered a national treasure. The plot is offbeat, certainly compared to its
American counterparts, about a town of animals where everyone is an inventor.
Each year, the town holds a competition for the best invention. One day, some
children find a book floating in the ocean near their home and inside is a
Japanese bee named Susumu. He introduces the town to judo, which catches on
like wildfire. So in addition to the invention competition and its preparation,
the plot centers on a bee teaching judo to a village of animals. I’m telling
you, it’s quirky!
The film’s lead character is a good-natured and spunky
little girl dog named Lotte whose dad Oskar wins the competition every year.
Lotte’s best friend, Bruno, is a boy cat who suffers from an overly-protective
and domineering mother. We learn that Bruno’s dad disappeared, giving some
insight into why Bruno’s mom won’t let him out of her sight. We see Lotte
helping Bruno to push against the unreasonable limits set by his mom, and their
frustration at times, as they strive to compete in a judo championship.
There is also some drama about a neighbor rabbit who cheats
in the invention competition, desperate to win. He also has a back story which in the end
makes him a bit more sympathetic, something I always appreciate in a
film—showing that people are complicated and not necessarily good or bad, a
refreshing perspective in children’s media.
Overall Lotte from Gadgetville is a story about friendship, sharing cultures, being courageous, and
learning new skills. I would recommend it for kids of all ages, and their
grown-ups!
And while you may think tracking down a six-year-old
Estonian animated film an impossible task, I am happy to tell you that the film
is actually available through Kidflix Global, where you can rent or buy the DVD.
