A coming-of-age tale with its own adorable little twist, Crab Day is a part of the NFTS (National Film and Television School) Graduate Showcase 2023. Directed and animated by Ross Stringer with a screenplay by Aleksandra Sykulak, this BAFTA winning, sweet-natured short is a surefire crowd-pleaser.
The scene is set in a fishing community, where a young boy is faced with his “rite of passage.” In this locality, boys wishing to transition into adulthood must prove their worth by killing a crab. As the ritual commences, however, the boy has a gradual change of heart and decides to go against his father’s wishes.
Hand-drawn animation is a dying art, and Crab Day certainly showcases how craftsmanship of this kind could and should stick around, even if what’s on display proves a tad underwhelming. Most of this frustration stems from how thinly both the characters and the environment are drawn. It can become difficult to separate each individual from the background, especially when there’s movement involved. Some contours also have a tendency to fade, adding to the film’s lack of total visual clarity. That’s not to say that this hand-drawn style doesn’t work, because it does lend Crab Day a warm, charming exterior. The crabs themselves are vibrant and very well realized, with some of the most memorable images coming from the ritual involving them. Something that the short absolutely nails is the auditory experience. Simon Panayi’s sound design, paired with the feel-good score by composer Matteo Tronchin, elevates the viewing experience, adding the emotional layer and heart to the story.
Story-wise, Crab Day works not because it has anything new to say but rather because it enforces themes that transcend generations. It’s very much akin to Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon, where the island of Berk sees dragon slaying as a coming-of-age celebration. The short teaches compassion and explores how traditions can, and sometimes should be, subject to review. Stringer and his crew convey this timeless message in almost no time at all, making Crab Day a very digestible watch that families can enjoy just as much as fans of indie productions.
