About the Film
Synopsis
MUSHKA tells the story of the Ukrainian girl Sarah who raises a Siberian tiger during the 1970s. She calls him Mushka, when she discovers an “M” shaped birthmark on the tiger cub’s forehead. The word Mushka is a Russian term of endearment, like sweetheart.
As the tiger grows into adulthood, Sarah finds out that a few shady people in the village plan to kill and sell him for profit. In an effort to save him she takes Mushka deep into the forest to the same spot where she found him as an orphaned cub. Sarah hopes that her tiger will stay in the forest and learn how to be a wild animal, far away from any humans.
Other characters in the film include Sarah’s grandmother, her father as well as Alex, a local Siberian boy.
The story’s theme can be summed up like this: Having to let go of someone you love is the hardest thing, but life has a way to provide hope and happiness again.
Director & Cast
MUSHKA is an original story by Andreas Deja. The hand drawn animated film was in production for about 10 years. The art direction was inspired by Disney’s classic 101 Dalmatians. Disney legend and Academy Award winner Richard Sherman wrote a musical theme as well as a song for the film. MUSHKAs running time is about 28 minutes.
