Continuing the topic of Women in Horror Recognition Month, I want to pivot the lens towards a fantastic little animated short film called “Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty”, which was written by Kathleen O’Rourke and directed by Nicky Phelan. O’Rourke also provides the voice acting for Granny O’Grimm herself.
The piece is delightfully animated, switching from 3D to 2D as Granny narrates her version of the opening of Sleeping Beauty as a bedtime story for her less-than-enthusiastic granddaughter.
Initially I thought the ending rather abrupt, until I listened properly to the words of Granny’s lullaby, which accompany the finishing credits.
What I like most about this little piece is that it accurately reflects the gruesomeness that lurks behind most fairy tales. Grumpy, crotchety old ladies with magical powers are not the kind of person you want to annoy, especially when you’ve got better muscle tone, and didn’t invite them to a swanky party.
The short has been nominated for an Academy Award in the “Short Film (Animated)” category, and if you’d like to watch it, stop by the Irish Film Board’s Media Hub, where you can see all six-minutes of it.
