I was pretty much overjoyed when I found one of Jurij Norstein’s classic works, “Hedgehog in the Fog” online. The animation tricks he was capable of way back in the ’70s and ’80s, under the iron-curtain clad Communist film industry, left even the most modern, well-equipped studios gasping for breath. Even to this day, from Japan to America, his work is lauded to great extents by his contemporaries.

But to me, “Hedgehog in the Fog” is not one of the most classic animated short films of all time because of its superb technical qualities (although it is very high, and very original), but because of its almost super depressive mood, that at the same time also manages to create an atmosphere of happiness and joy.

But if you want to check out some of Norstein’s more technically appealing works, then make sure to check out the beautiful Sweet Little Mystery, or the Masters of Russian Animation Series, where you will also find the works of other Russian geniuses. If you are into graphic design, or animation, do NOT sleep on “Hedgehog in the Fog” or “Sweet Little Mystery”. (But Norstein has an even wider fanbase. Vitalij Klicsko’s favourite animated film is “Hedgehog in the Fog”.)