#if anything it's a benjamin blümchen reference

[lalalaugenbrot]

guys that poll is about the blog title not the url, laugenbrot just references laugengebäck because it's a spectacular type of gebäck (and ofc also references my nickname lowkey)

[tai-vas]

It was, and still is, my favourite animation. And one of my favourite movies in general. I can say I grew up on it more than I can say I grew up on other animations because while, yes, I did watch an awful lot of Tabaluga, Benjamin Blümchen, Smurfs and Adventures of the Gummi Bears too, and I adored it too, they didn't have the same impact on me that Spirit did.

OP got a bit political here, but I was a kid who didn't really have any ties to imperialism/colonialism (we were neither colonisers, nor colonised, just the rich exploiting the poor), so the anti-imperialism message didn't get to me that much but what almost-adult me, who knew a little more about it, appreciated very much, was the lack of moralistic tone about it. And mutual respect on all sides of the fence. They literally say "whether that West was won or not in the end you must decide for yourself" and this, this means something. And it's a film for kids who says you must think for yourselves and that in itself means a lot.

But what got to me (and what I partially blame for the contradictory urges defining my life) is the reflection on freedom, individuality and responsibility. It taught me to value freedom more than all the patriotic history lessons combined ever could (and believe me, try they did, my country was under occupation for a long while, and is very proud of its history of fighting against it), but it also taught me that there is no such a thing as a complete freedom with no ties whatsover, that with more independence always comes more responsiblity, and you have to be prepared to shoulder it (maybe that's why I never wanted to be a princess, Spirit taught me long before that that being in charge means a lot of responsibility and possible danger), and to fight for what's important to me. And that with growing up comes a lot more freedom, but also more responsibility. It still gets to me, even though the concept of home is far more convoluted for me than for Spirit, and than complicates things. Also, fun fact, in my language the title is "Mustang from <location>". There is no name, or nickname, or anything. Just the name of the race. And the horse is referred to as Mustang. Which, paradoxically, emphasises his individuality and independence, because he refuses to be domesticated, tamed by a name. He can be a friend, he will not be a pet.

I wrote a very long post under you, OP, but you're going to make me watch Spirit again instead of sleeping, so I figure that fair's fair.

cannot believe there are people who aren't familiar with the 2002 movie Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. it's not remembered as one of the animated classics of the early 00s because it's so different than other beloved movies - no talking animals, no fantasy settings, limited comedic elements - but my god did it shine in so many other ways. arguably some of the best 2D animation ever created, outstanding soundtrack, an hour and a half of pure anti-imperialism and anti-colonialism in a kid friendly story about horseys.