High ratings from a small number of voters - so this must be an obscurity with something of a cult status, right? Actually, "Hofeher" is far from being an obscurity here in Hungary, where it was made some 20+ years ago. It is one of the best films produced by the once-strong domestic animation industry (all but extinct now - thanks, capitalism), and it is still very popular due to its excellent black & dry humor, a trademark for director Jozsef Nepp. It recounts the tale of Snow White from an extremely disillusioned point of view, which results in heaps of caustic gags and impossibly funny lines. (What's your name, darling? - asks the king, supposedly in mourning. -Be it whatever you wish, Majesty - purrs the lady-in-waiting. -That's a bit long. I'll call you "Be" instead.) In fact, "Hofeher" is one of the most quotable movies ever - if only a decent English translation existed. There isn't one truly likable character here: everybody displays some vice or weird obsession, such as egoism, snobbery or an over-developed taste for the company of hens. At one point you'll even find hard not to hate the lead character, giant albino butchgirl full of good intentions but dumb to the point of danger to herself, Hofeher (=Snowhite), a victim of general indifference and heartlessness around her. The dwarfs who give her shelter (not quite voluntarily) are named after the days of the week, and are tiny doppelgängers of those who expelled her from her native castle. Her stepmother - cornice poles fall on her head, when she furiously draws the curtains in classic Disney manner - becomes unexpectedly human when she declares, in full deforced political power, an intention to become alcoholic. With all of its misanthropic acerbity, the movie packs an emotional punch. You can't help feeling a lump in your throat while watching the most obviously phoney happy-end of all times.
