Blind Vaysha

Blind Vaysha is an animated short film from 2016, featuring the voice of Caroline Dhavernas. This thought-provoking piece was directed by celebrated Canadian filmmaker Theodore Ushev and produced by Marc Bertrand. What makes this film so distinctive is not just its story, but also the captivating artistry of its animation. Blind Vaysha is an archetypal example of storytelling that thrives on both aesthetics and narrative strength.

A Canada-France co-production, Blind Vaysha hails from the National Film Board of Canada and Arte France. It's drenched in a stylistic blend of digital linocut printing and 2D animation, merging the mediums to create an awe-inspiring visual experience. Ushev’s ingenuity mainly lies in his ability to seamlessly translate this unique visual language into a gripping narrative.

The film narrates the poignant tale of a girl named Vaysha, voiced by Caroline Dhavernas, who lives in a village stuck in a perennial time wrap. She is unlike any other girl; she is, as the villagers like to referly affectionately, 'Blind Vaysha.' Not blind in the conventional sense, Vaysha has an unusual visual dysfunction. Her left eye can only see the past, while her right eye only sees the future. As a result, she is incapable of living in the present.

This film dives into how this condition permeates Vaysha's life. The continual clash of past and present observed simultaneously disorients her and renders her unable to interact in real-time. The story explores the philosophical and existential dimensions of such a peculiar condition, allowing watchers to imagine a life in which the past and future outshine the present.

Caroline Dhavernas voices the character with a tug-at-the-heartstrings tenderness, drawing us into Vaysha's unusual world. There's a gentle, inviting warmth in her voice that contrasts beautifully with the somewhat disturbing and complex predicament that her character faces.

The movie is not just about Vaysha's struggle with her unique condition. It offers an allegorical tale that braids together elements of folklore, myth, and mystical realism. Blind Vaysha comments on timeless human conflicts and our collective inability to exist in the 'now,' projecting our minds ceaselessly back into the past or forward into the future. It is a compelling exploration of the human condition and a profound commentary on the way we perceive time.

The film, despite its short runtime, manages to raise profound, stimulating thoughts and questions about perception, time, and existence. The stylistic treatment of the animation further enhances the mystery and other-worldliness of Vaysha's world.

The dialogues are poetic and carry a philosophical gravity that echoes the film's central theme. The robust screenplay complements the inspiring, unique style of animation. The hand-drawn, earthy textures of the characters and the background render an aura of raw, organic authenticity, immersing viewers into the narrative.

The color palette is another integral part of Blind Vaysha, one that dominantly leans on the browns, greys, and blacks to embody the film's rustic setting and somber themes. At the same time, the music composed by Olivier Calvert and Kostadin Genchev matches the evocative narrative and supports the visually stunning rendition with its emotive score.

Blind Vaysha is a testament of avant-garde animation and storytelling. This short film carries immense philosophical weight and insight about human existence condensed within its approx eight minutes of runtime. Moreover, it boasts a timeless and pervasive theme, making it an essential watch for both film enthusiasts and anyone interested in life's deeper questions.