Program Note
Freedom is a dream for only those who have enjoyed it. A mackerel named PADAK is constantly trying to escape after being caught in a net and trapped in an aquarium at a sushi restaurant. The mackerel’s existence is a threat to the aquarium, which is ruled by Old Flatfish. Old Flatfish constantly puts pressure to PADAK who seems to be breaking the peace of the aquarium. Still, he doesn’t give up the escape. Even though his entire body might break and can eventually be put on a table as a meal, Padak never gives up his escape because of his memories of the sea where he had once been swimming freely. And one’s small attempt is a hope for another’s freedom. The 3D animation PADAK, which shows the desperate escape of a mackerel trapped inside a fish tank in a sushi restaurant, has drawn the attention from the audience with it’s realistic background description, well drawn paintings, stylish characters, and satire on our dark reality. The director is famous for destroying childlike expectations, which surprises the children who visit the theater to see a Finding Nemo type animation. The director satirizes the dark side of our society by comparing the aquarium to the real world. The aquarium, which is dominated by rank, tricks, and the fish’s compliance to death, do not look much different from our reality. (MO Eun-young)