Animated short film on self-esteem | "Violet" - by Maurice Joyce, narrated by Aidan Gillen (GOT)

Summary

Violet O'Reilly, a self-conscious young girl, struggles with body image issues and her reflection, especially in the face of a school ball. Despite her mother’s encouragement, Violet dreads the event, fearing ridicule. However, when Violet tries on her dress and faces her reflection, a surreal transformation occurs, where her reflection becomes free of judgment and leaves her behind. The reflection experiences life outside, while Violet is trapped in the mirror, watching herself enjoy the things she feared. Ultimately, Violet's journey explores themes of self-acceptance, identity, and the bittersweet realization of the life she didn't embrace.

Takeaways

• 😀 Violet O'Reilly struggles with self-esteem, constantly feeling plain and unappealing due to her appearance.
• 😀 Violet's reflection in the mirror is a source of torment, as she believes it highlights her flaws and imperfections.
• 😀 She feels disconnected from her reflection, perceiving herself as inferior compared to others, especially regarding physical features like her nose and eyes.
• 😀 Violet's fears of being judged extend to her school environment, where she dreads comparisons to others at social events like the school ball.
• 😀 Violet has recurring nightmares about the ball, symbolizing her anxiety about not measuring up to social expectations.
• 😀 Violet's mother, who tries to help her daughter feel beautiful, paradoxically makes Violet feel worse by commenting on how much prettier she looks than her.
• 😀 The night of the ball, Violet’s reflection mysteriously disappears, and she is sucked into the mirror, swapping places with her reflection.
• 😀 The reflection, now free, enjoys the ball and rejects Violet's previous self-criticism, embracing confidence and freedom.
• 😀 Violet, trapped inside the wall, watches as her reflection enjoys the night, attracting attention and validation from others, including a boy she likes.
• 😀 Violet experiences heartbreak, not over the boy, but over the life she could have lived, seeing her reflection live the life she wishes for, symbolizing the pain of missed opportunities and unfulfilled desires.

Q & A

What is the central conflict that Violet O'Reilly faces in the script?

Violet O'Reilly struggles with self-loathing and body image issues, particularly with her reflection in the mirror, which exacerbates her insecurities about her physical appearance.

Why does Violet feel insecure about her appearance?

Violet feels insecure due to her belief that she is plain and unattractive, particularly disliking her nose, eyes, and her perceived melon-shaped head. Her reflection in the mirror only reinforces these insecurities.

How does Violet react when she learns about the school ball?

Violet feels anxious and overwhelmed at the thought of attending the school ball, imagining that the other kids will mock her appearance. She believes that the event is meant for prettier girls and that she will not fit in.

What is significant about the dream Violet has before the ball?

Violet's dream symbolizes her feelings of helplessness and fear of not being able to measure up to societal standards of beauty. In the dream, she tries to swim while wearing a ballgown but ultimately gets drowned, highlighting her sense of being overwhelmed and inadequate.

How does Violet's mother respond when she sees Violet in her ball gown?

Violet's mother is moved and surprised by how beautiful Violet looks in her ball gown. She even says, 'you look prettier than me,' which is a moment of pride and astonishment for her mother.

What happens when Violet looks into the mirror before leaving for the ball?

When Violet looks into the mirror, she is initially horrified by her reflection, but the moment takes a surreal turn when her reflection grabs her wrist, pulls her into the mirror, and swaps places with her, leaving Violet trapped inside the mirror.

What does Violet's reflection experience after taking her place?

Violet's reflection enjoys freedom and revels in the absence of judgment. It relishes in the approval it receives from others, even performing confidently on the dance floor, far from the self-consciousness Violet felt.

What is Violet's emotional response as she watches her reflection live her life at the ball?

Violet feels a deep sense of sadness and regret as she watches her reflection enjoy the ball, especially when the boy she likes is captivated by the reflection. This causes Violet to reflect on the life she hasn't lived due to her insecurities.

What does Violet realize by the end of the story?

Violet realizes that her insecurities and self-doubt have held her back from experiencing life to the fullest. She misses out on moments, like her first kiss, because of the way she viewed herself, and she longs for the freedom that her reflection now has.

How does the script explore the theme of self-image and identity?

The script delves into the struggle with self-image and identity, particularly how internalized insecurities can distort a person's view of themselves. Violet’s conflict with her reflection symbolizes her struggle to accept herself and find self-worth beyond physical appearance.