Commendation of the Ecumenical Jury, Oberhausen 2021 (International Online Competition)

Unfortunately, even today, many families are hiding dark secrets. The animated short film “Cradle” properly investigates the innermost depths of a family devastated by domestic violence and alcoholism. In such a climate of terror, we see life still existing with a mother taking care of her newborn, trying to protect him and his big brother from bullying. The animation technique reports perfectly on the different states of mind of the characters and raises our awareness of the difficulties every family could struggle with at one time and must overcome. Particularly effective is the way in which the song "Cantec de leagan" – a traditional Romanian lullaby performed by Maria Tanase – is grafted onto the animation.