'The Little Mexmaid' by Cristina de Middel

As Mexican girls celebrate their coming of age at 15, when the Little Mermaid reaches this milestone she is officially be considered an adult and will be able to access the outside world of grown-up humans (Picture: Cristina de Middel/Nikon) 

Since we're (still) on the subject of The Little Mermaid, and specifically updating the classic story with modern and relevant-to-girls today themes, I thought this would be a good time to share a photo series I recently saw and bookmarked to share.

Nikon challenged three award wining photographers from different countries to update a classic fairy tale. The catch was they could only use four photos to do this and to tell a new version of the story. The stories chosen were Red Riding Hood, Snow White and The Little Mermaid. While the Red Riding Hood results were fun and had an interesting statement, (which you can see HERE) my favorite series by far was The Little Mermaid.

The photographer who chose The Little Mermaid was from Spain and on a recent trip to Mexico felt the fairy tale related very well to the coming of age traditions she saw being celebrated there. Cristina de Middel said she was inspired by the fiesta de quinceañera, or the introduction of a 'debutante' to the adult world, which is traditionally celebrated on the 15th birthday for girls, in Mexico.

Of her theme she said: ‘I saw first-hand the fascinating rites of passage in Mexico, and it reminded me instantly of the classic coming-of-age love story in The Little Mermaid.’

Middel titled her series The Little Mexmaid (which, incidentally, feels really weird to write. I presume Nikon wouldn't have published this title if there was an issue...). The first photo is at the head of the post, the rest are below and the photographer's captions are below each one:

Upon arrival in the human world, the Mermaid trades her fishtail for legs so she can experience what it feels like to be an adult woman. She goes to the Salon Los Angeles, a famous venue in Mexico City for ‘Sweet 15′ celebrations (Picture: Cristina de Middel/Nikon) 

The mermaid meets a Prince, who is a traditional Mexican Mariachi. The couple dance and she falls deeply in love with him. (Picture: Cristina de Middel/Nikon) 

Eventually rejected by the Prince for a Princess of the human world, the Little Mermaid sacrifices herself for love by exploding into fireworks. (Cristina de Middel/Nikon)

Here's the series altogether. Pretty poignant stuff:  

"Maleficent 2" Is Happening

A Maleficent re-design by Lee Kent

Yup. Not a typo. Disney have confirmed it and Linda Woolverton (who wrote Maleficent and is best known for Beauty & the Beast) is busy writing it. Other crew have already jumped on board too. Not Ms. Jolie though. She seems to be of the opinion they're done with the story, which I'm glad to hear, but they're forging ahead anyway.

-sigh-

Random thought: it would be REALLY INTERESTING if they decided to tackle the other, rarely told half of Sleeping Beauty with the ogre mother-in-law etc, wouldn't it? #notgoingtohappen

If you're truly interested in the Maleficent sequel movie news, you can read a bunch more about it HERE, which has links in the article for you to follow as well.

Sofia Coppola Quits Universal's Live Action "Little Mermaid"

I was so disappointed to hear this. I really thought there was a great chance of a unique and relevant modern retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid on the way (modern, at least with regard to issues and sensibility, if not setting, that is).

The report is that she exited due to "creative differences" which is such a vague term it could be almost anything, however, rumor has it, that things came to a head over casting the lead. With trans-model Andreja Pejic (formerly known as Andrej Pejic) already cast as one of the Mermaid's sisters, the film's direction, which already intended to follow Andersen's original story, promised to be both interesting and very "un-Disney". There has been no report of any change in Pejic's involvement (that is, she is still attached to the project), so things remain promising on this front.

The script is finished and remains intact, care of Caroline Thompson, (who penned Edward Scissorhands and The Corpse Bride among others), and reports are that the producers remain enthusiastic about Mermaid and keen to see this project come to the screen. With Coppola officially announcing her departure at the beginning of June, though, it's already been a few weeks and the film (at this writing) remains director-less.

From what I can glean in reports here and there, filming was supposed to start toward the end of 2015 so hopefully we'll hear more news on what's happening with the film soon.

By the way, I found this painting below available in various places as a print or wallpaper. It's occasionally titled Saving the Little Mermaid but, for some reason, doesn't credit the artist anywhere I could find (if you find out, please let me know and I'll update). I thought some mer-folk here might like it though, and it likely fits with the tone of the Universal movie as it currently stands...

Broadway's The Little Mermaid Gets Wired by Shiki Theater Company (& it looks great)

Mermaid show on land challenge: how do you make a mermaid 'swim' through the air?

For Broadway's various versions of the Disney stage adaptation it's been - oddly - by using 'Heelys' or wheelie sneakers. It's a creative decision that's had a lot of criticism, as no matter how well done everything else was, this particular aspect consistently pulled the audience out of the show.

The Shiki Theater Company in Japan, however, took on the challenge and upped the ante by adding (difficult to manage and execute) wire work to their version of the production. The results? Beautiful! And well worth it. The cast really do look like they are swimming through the air.

While the oddly stiff 'floating hair' cone is a little strange but everything else is so well done, I'm guessing it barely blips the radar for most people.

There's one other key thing about the production, that's helping it to continue having an excellent run, unlike most of it's predecessors. It wasn't only the production aspects of costume and over-the-top set-design that got classier: so did the story. Unlike the original Broadway productions of Mermaid that focused on Ariel wanting to be with Eric, the overhaul included emphasis being put on the single father (Triton) and his wayward daughter (Ariel) and his journey to understanding her and supporting her dreams. It's made all the difference to the show's impact and families (especially fathers) are reportedly walking out with high praises for the show and what a great family experience is was. (It should be noted these main changes are primarily care of Glenn Casales, about whom you can read an article HERE.)

So it's taken a number of years and a number of version but, as many of the articles are fond of saying, it would appear the stage version of The Little Mermaid has finally found it's feet.

Here's clips from the Japanese show, (which has been running for a little while now) set around the song Part Of Your World (oh yes - and that girl - boy can she sing!):

For those interested, you can compare the original English cast scene with this one HERE.

Source: Boing Boing

Tom Davenport's Pioneer Fairy Tale Films Now Available to Stream Free!

From the Brothers Grimm

Tom Davenport's Pioneer Fairy Tale Films

This is great news! I haven't had the chance to view all the films in the From the Brothers Grimm Davenport collection yet myself, as getting hold of copies has been challenging but I'm so glad Mr. Davenport has decided to share his films so freely so they can be much more widely viewed.

These aren't your average fairy tale films. They're set in a 'pioneer-era America', with a lot of Appalachian flavor, and are beautifully done. (They also show what filmmakers can do without a massive budget if you know what you're doing! I'd love to see what Tom & his wife Mimi could do with the current technology-on-the-go now available like smart phones and Go Pros!) 

I would also like to make special mention that, though the Davenports are kindly making these available for free viewing, please consider a small donation to help with the archive cost of these films so the originals can be preserved. (And it's a nice way to thank the Davenports too.)

Here's what the Davenports have announced:

We made a series of adaptations of folk/fairy tales in the 1980s and 1990s that were popular in schools and libraries. My wife Mimi and I set them in our local rural Virginia community near Delaplane. 

We have made streams and would like to share them freely with you. Donations will help us preserve these films in a climate controlled archive and allow us to connect with you - a gift much appreciated by this old filmmaker. 

Tom Davenport

 

Suggested donation is $2 for a single film. $10 for the whole series. But any amount will be gratefully received.

There are 11 films and I'm including the synopsis and the trailer for each as a teaser, but encourage you to go to his site, donate what you can and view the whole films there. There's also a bonus MGM Guide (Making Grimm Movies Guide)  for how to make low budget films series you can find HERE, and a teacher's guide to use with high school and college film students as well.

Ashpet (45 mins)

Set in the rural South in the early years of World War II, Ashpet is a version of Cinderella, the world's most popular folk tale.

Bearskin (20 mins)

In a contest with the devil, a Civil War soldier must not wash nor pray for seven years.

Bristlelip (20 mins)

A haughty princess gets her comeuppance in a version of Grimm's King Thrushbeard.

Frog King (15 mins)

A princess breaks her promise to a frog.

Goose Girl (18 mins)

An evil maid forces a princess to change places on their way to her wedding.

Hansel and Gretel (16 mins)

An Appalachian version of the classic story of the courage and loyalty of two children abandoned in the forest.

Jack & the Dentist's Daughter (40 mins)

In this comic variant of the Grimm's story, The Master Thief, a poor laborer's son wants to marry the dentist's daughter.

Mutzmag (50 mins)

With nothing more than her plucky spirit and her pocket knife, a mountain girl outwits a witch and an ogre to save herself and her sisters.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel (15 mins)

Rapunzel imprisoned in a tall wooden tower by a witch, allows a young man to climb her long brown hair to visit her.

Soldier Jack (40 mins)

Jack catches Death in a sack in this Appalachian tale.
Willa (85 mins)

An American version of 'Snow White' where Willa joins a traveling medicine show to escape her evil step-mother.

You can find links to the full films HERE. Enjoy your Summer viewing! And support a 'pioneer' filmmaker while you're at it.
Fairy Tale Bonus of the Day:

There is also a book available about the films and filmmaking process via amazon HERE. Recommended by Jack ZIpes and including a forward by him (which you can read HERE), this is one for the FT library folks!

From the Brothers Grimm: A Contemporary Retelling of American Folktales and Classic Stories

Description: Retells ten fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm, placing them in the Appalachian Mountains and other American settings through the text and photographs from the Tom Davenport film versions."This collection will add a new dimension to any folktale section.  The ten tales have been Americanized and reset in Appalachia.  Imagine Cinderella as a poor, white Southern girl named Ashpet who is helped to romance by a wise black woman. Hansel and Gretel become children of a poor mountain family during the depression. Other stories include “Rapunzel, Rapunzel” and “Jack and the Dentist’s Daughter.” In its simplest form this book will be used with delight by speech students searching for a children’s story to read aloud. The book is also meant to spark interest in the video series that Davenport produced for PBS. B&W photos from the videos will encourage this. With or without the videos, language arts teachers will find many ways to use the tales. An accompanying teacher’s guide gives hints on using the book for kindergartners through senior high students, but it is also bound to be read just for fun. Recommended." (from The Book Report 1993)

Happy Summer Solstice Northern Hemisphere! (& news on Jasmine Becket-Griffith's upcoming Faerytale Oracle Deck)

A Midsummer Night's Dream by Jasmine Becket-Griffith

Just squeaking in super late in the longest day of the year to say Happy Summer Solstice!

This lovely rendition of A Midsummer Night's Dream is by the popular and talented Jasmine Becket-Griffith, who is currently working on a new Faerytale Oracle Deck (with author Lucy Cavendish writing).

Being no stranger to using fairy tales as subjects for her work, I'm so curious to see how she portrays fairy tales and which ones she chooses to use.

Here are a few works she plans to include so far:

Brother & Sister

Rumpelstiltskin

The Little Match Girl

The Red Shoes

Snow White & Rose Red

Ms. Becket-Griffith's Oracle Deck is due out sometime during 2015 from Blue Angel Publishing.

Ask Baba Yaga: Can You Help Me With Work And Money?

Vasilisa by Viona Ielegems

Although I wouldn't go so far as to use the word 'fearful', 'constantly worried' does apply so I'm eager to see what Baba Yaga has to say about this one.

Today's timely question and answer (via poet and oracle Taisia Kitaiskaia* of The Hairpin):

(Originally posted at The Hairpin HERE)

"Look where I am."
So... figure out the basics, realize I have what I need to live right where I am, use that and stop worrying so much? That's pretty grounded advice. It would seem I have sensitive ears to that endless, loud river though. I wonder if Baba Yaga could recommend any sort of sound proofing aid? 

What do you think of Baba Yaga's advice?

Want to ask Baba Yaga a question of your own?

You can!

There's now an email address where you can send your questions

directly to Baba Yaga herself.

AskBabaYaga AT gmail DOT com

To encourage Baba Yaga to continue imparting her no-bones-about-it wisdom (ok, there may be some gristle in there... bones too), I suggest we not to leave her box empty... 

Thank you Baba Yaga (& Taisia).

* Taisia Kitaiskaia is a poet, writer, and Michener Center for Writers fellow. Born in Russia and raised in America, she's had her poems and translations published in Narrative Magazine, Poetry International, and others.

May Gibbs on Creating Fairy Tales Out of the Australian Bush

The AFTS is close to wrapping their second annual conference and has been discussing May Gibbs' gumnut folk (among many other wonderful things). I recently saw this little presentation in which May Gibbs talks about how these beloved and iconic Australian bush fairy tales and creatures came to be.

Note: there have been a number of efforts to have Snugglepot & Cuddlepie (& friends) made into a movie but nothing has gotten past the development stage yet. I have a feeling things will get moving on this front again soon though.

Enjoy!

Timeless Tales Issue #4 is LIVE!

Although mythology isn't really our focus on here on OUABlog, it is a big element of our partner, Timeless Tales', business. They alternate between publishing retellings of fairy tales and myths and have just released their latest issue. 

All the stories for this particular issue have the theme "Perseus and Medusa". Here's a look at the main cover (above) and just a small sampling of the many mini-covers they designed for each individual story (below). It's pretty neat and you're guaranteed quality stories and a good read, (we're talking a good 75+ pages here!) , along with the option of audio, as well as a variety of (good) surprises.

Here's a quick note from TT's editor herself, Tahlia Merrill Kirk:

Here I am again, standing on the other side of a release date, thinking, "why do I do this to myself?". Give it a week and I'll remember the answer. It's because I love seeing writers teach me something new about a well-worn tale. 

Each theme presents its unique challenges. For Puss in Boots, the challenge was how to overcome the cliche of talking cats. For Twelve Dancing Princesses, it was often the problem of having a short story with at least twelve characters (twenty-six, if you include the princes, king, and witch). Perseus and Medusa's greatest obstacle, I learned as I read through submissions, was the snakes. I've never had so many writers treat an original element SO literally. Not even with Puss in Boots did writers seem compelled for their cats to wear actual boots. 

At first, I grumbled about my submissions' lack of creativity. Must Snow White die by an apple or must Cinderella's slipper be glass? Of course not, so why did no one send me a Medusa with eels for hair or baby alligators? (Mostly joking on the second one). 

And then I found the stories that gave the snakes a purpose. Like the "multiple slithering ids" which coo a Gorgon's darker thoughts in Elaine Pascale's story "Love in the Time of Athena". Convinced that their importance could not be denied, I even stuck a cobra on the cover. 

So suffice it to say that you'll find plenty of scales in this issue. However I tried to pick stories where the hissing hair wasn't mere window dressing on Medusa. And of course, there are some notable retellings that are completely snake-free, like the Russian themed "Long Live the Personal Revolution". I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did. 

Tahlia Merrill Kirk

Editor of Timeless Tales Magazine

www.timelesstalesmagazine.com

Happy Winter Solstice Down Under Fairy Tale Folk - Today (21st June) is the 2015 AFTS Conference!

Program cover, titled 'Spinning stories into golden matter', is by Debra Phillips

The 2nd Annual AFTS Conference

Transformations:

Spinning Straw into Green & Gold!

Right now, on this Winter Solstice morning Down Under, Australian fairy tale folk are getting ready to walk into the NSW Writer's Center on the East Coast of the country and gather for the 2015 Annual Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference.

Although things may have appeared quiet here and elsewhere, there's been a lot going on behind the scenes. We have speakers, authors, artists, live music, exhibits, book signings, storytelling performances and more! To see what's going on, take a look at the program below, and there will be live 'reporting' on the AFTS Twitter account HERE, as well as the AFTS official Facebook page HERE.

If you want to add comments, ask questions, or are there in person and want to add your own pics to help those folk who are following remotely have a taste of the event, please add #aftsconf2015 to your posts and/or tweets so everyone can find them!

And for Aussies, either local or abroad, (and for those who've met Aussies and heard some of our yarns), the AFTS wants your input! We're collecting Aussie folklore and fairy tale lore and stories (and versions and twists!) for our growing collection, to preserve them for the future and study and work with them in the present.