‘Winky’s Horse’ </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 7:08 PM on Wednesday, February 14, 2007

‘Winky’s Horse’

reviewed By Max Brinster

The motion picture “Winky’s Horse” struck me regarding the film production techniques. Although the angles and shots they used were very creative, the light was astounding. They started with basic film stunts but switched them around slightly. The beginning airplane scene where the little mechanical plane was flying across the globe from China to the Netherlands was basic but effective for establishing the setting. Incredible, how they could switch the lighting of close-ups to landscape lighting with a simple hill scene at the stable. How on the close-up scenes they would block off the light coming from the other side of the hill, then when they switched to a landscape, they made sure it was a perfect morning dim light piercing over the hill.

Photo provided
Ebbie Tam in a scene from "Winky's Horse"

The story about this young 6-year-old Chinese girl who had just been culture shocked from China to the Netherlands was fun and interesting to watch as well. The director really described his characters well in the picture. He captured their personalities, showing Winky as sweet at times and stubborn also. Another instance was the Saint Nicholas guy with a coffee addiction, hysterical! It made you laugh and cry even if it’s in a foreign language. It also sucks you into seeing this little Chinese girl with a fortunate relationship with a horse. The way the lady sweeping in the street cleverly shows what Winky is up to, like if she’s running by or riding, or horse riding; it shows you if she’s happy, sad or in a hurry.

Tension builds between Winky and the store keeper woman, her teacher, her parents and Saint Nicholas. You end up wondering whether Winky will get her horse, after seeing many attempts fail. This also brings definite culture change and a struggle in different cultures because of language, because of looks, and because of religion. Winky never had any idea of Saint Nicholas ever existing. This movie is probably appropriate for mostly kids 6 or 7, depending on how fast they read because of subtitles. The film itself is appropriate for children 2 years old, but the subtitles are difficult for most 2-year-olds.

Max Brinster, Dannie Mei Finch And Jessica Coke are students at Fireweed Academy. As part of the Second Annual