The actors’ strike continues in Hollywood and this has allowed a few smaller films, which would not otherwise be released here, to sneak into Australian cinemas.  That’s a good thing in the case of Oink.  It’s a stop motion animated feature to come from Viking Film, a production company established in 2011 and based in The Netherlands.  The version we’re seeing uses English voices (it’s all very seamless) to ensure it’s more accessible for younger audiences.

The storyline is incredibly cute.  A 9-year-old vegan girl named Gretchen is gifted a pet pig as a birthday present from her estranged grandfather.  Suffice to say her parents aren’t pleased.  They don’t want a filthy, noisy, untrained animal messing up the house and destroying the backyard vegetable garden.  Further, they can’t understand Grandad’s motivations.  Given he’s a former butcher who has made a life out of breeding pigs and turning them into award-winning pork sausages, they’re confused as to why he suddenly sees the creatures as adorable pets.

I love the way director Mascha Halberstad blends high-tone with low-tone.  There are scenes where the pig, given the name Oink, is pooping all over the house (there’s lots of it!) and causing a ruckus when sent off to “puppy” school.  I’m a mature adult (well, at least I think so) but even I get a childish laugh at what can be achieved on screen with claymation poo!  Kids should find it hilarious.

These goofy laughs are offset by darker humour and more serious narratives.  In interviews for the film’s promotion, Halberstad has spoken about her love of Roald Dahl books and the way they feature characters who are both charming and villainous.  It’s a big reason she was drawn to the source material of Oink, a book authored by Tosca Menten.  I don’t want to give too much away but the film gets a little scary in places and offers up lessons for younger crowds.

Much effort goes into stop motion and it’s no surprise to see the film clock in at just 72 minutes.  It’s more than enough though.  There’s no unnecessary padding, no unnecessary subplots.  It couldn’t crack a nomination at the Academy Awards (I’d have voted for it) but it did earn a nod at the 2022 European Film Awards (where is lost to No Dogs or Italians Allowed).  It also picked up the award for best feature at the 2022 Netherlands Film Festival and, confirming my own view, this again illustrates its appeal with people of all ages.