New Showbiz

You are here:
The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

1968

Director

Ivan Aksenchuk

Runtime

28 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Rusalochka opens in modern day Copenhagen, Denmark. Several tourists gather around the capital's famous mermaid statue, as a tour guide explains its significance. A fish in the water below the tourists scoffs at their foolishness, and then, proceeds to tell about the doomed love of the mermaid. Upon reaching her 15th birthday, the Little Mermaid is allowed to swim up to the surface above. As soon as she does, however, the Mermaid spots a young prince caught up in a dreadful storm. She admires the man's bravery and decides to save him, declaring that, "The beautiful and the brave should not perish." After the mermaid returns to the ocean, she decides that she wants to become human.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

4.1/10

Fair

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The story follows a traditional romantic arc centered on a mermaid and a prince. There is no explicit evidence of queer identities or non-heteronormative subtext within the narrative.

Gender Representation

Fair

The protagonist displays significant agency by making life-altering decisions. Her desire to become human is driven by her own moral compass and active choice rather than passive reaction.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

Set in Copenhagen, the film focuses on a European folk tale. The cast appears homogeneous, reflecting the setting without evidence of ethnic blending or diverse casting.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The film utilizes a traditional fairy tale framework. A cynical fish character provides a detached, observational critique of human customs, adding a layer of subjective morality to the story.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no information available regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this production.

Strengths

  • The female protagonist demonstrates strong individual agency and moral conviction.
  • The inclusion of a cynical fish character offers a unique, critical perspective on human behavior.

Areas for Improvement

  • The cast lacks racial and ethnic diversity, remaining strictly tied to its European setting.
  • The narrative follows traditional romantic tropes without exploring queer identities or subtext.

AI Analysis

Ivan Aksenchuk’s 1968 animation is a classic character-driven fantasy rooted in European folklore. It succeeds in giving its female lead a sense of purpose and autonomy, moving her beyond a mere romantic interest. However, the film remains tethered to the conventional tropes of its era. The narrative lacks intersectional complexity, focusing instead on a singular, traditional romantic pursuit within a culturally homogeneous setting. While the film offers a unique perspective through its observational fish character, it does not challenge systemic social structures or provide diverse representation.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.