Dog of Flanders (フランダースの犬, Furandāsu no Inu, 1975) is a Japanese animated television series adaptation of Ouida's 1872 novel of the same name, produced by Nippon Animation. 52 episodes were produced.’ (Wikipedia)
It was a very sad story and the main character Nello was a small boy who wanted to become an artist like Rubens but dies young with his loyal dog Patrasche. Just before death he submits his drawing to a young artists’ competition but establishment judges don’t take notice (except for the biggest guy, but Nello dies anyway so it was too late anyway). During the jury meeting, no one was impressed by Nello’s work and one of them says ‘Well, it doesn’t even look finished’. Nello’s submission was a drawing of his late grandfather and the dog Patrasche playing together on a vague background. All the other submissions were from kids from wealthy background and the subjects of works were, I can’t remember but something ‘much ‘grander’. And one of these grander works gets the prize. And Nello and Patrasche die soon after in dispair and desperation. As I heard those jury’s remarks about Nello’s drawing, I as a kid would think ‘Maybe it doesn’t look as lush as other kids’ works, there is something in it, but then again, adults from establishment won’t see this’.
Strange enough, every time I make something, it feels as if I hear something like this jury meeting and despite all the best I try. It feels as if someone who is much bigger is telling me that it is not good enough nor not even complete. And because I work on my own, I have to face these ‘jury’ on my own and most of the time I end up with skepticism on my own work which is just completed.
To be continued to July 2022.
