This Short Film Teaches The Magic Of Difference

If you have children, invite them to spend a moment with you and enjoy this Pixar production from 2000 together, directed by Ralph Eggleston, well known in the animation industry, who has worked on some familiar films such as “Up – Towards Heights,” “ Toy Story – Toy Life, ““ Wall-E ”and“ In Search of Nemo. ”

“For the Birds” is a metaphor for life itself. We get to meet a bird community that inhabits the power line, but which could equally be any community or school classroom where difference is the object of ridicule and criticism.

Our main character is a somewhat special bird. He has long legs, a long neck, and his voice sounds different than that of a fifteen smaller bird. Our bird is another species and, like everyone else, is looking for a place to fit anywhere with his wings ever carrying him…

But, as we know,  difference is sometimes quite a problem. This special hontelo bird does its part to the best of its ability.

The skill of difference and the effort of striving for similarity

In the opening scene, a group of similar birds circling each other, proudly making a fuss, and proudly moving on a stage they control in an almost militant style. They are like teenagers who want to dress all the same way  or those office friends who create well-defined closed groups in the workplace.

We can find ourselves in life in many situations that are similar to those presented in this short film. “External” to revolutionize the arrival of a certain  junior high school class of students, certain  blocks of neighbors or  a specific  city life of the community.

Our fifteen blue thugs are alarmed as this large and special bird arrives on the wires. Far from being taken into the crowd, let alone responding to his kind greeting, these conspired little blue-haired villains with their menacing eyes start a deafening whine.

But as we all know, sometimes it is better to be criticized for being different than to adapt and become like others, such as those who sometimes rejected or ignored us.

Diversity is often seen as a threat because it means that we are somehow questioning our typical lifestyle, which usually gives us some sense of control and gives us security.

Diversity is not a problem, but  in fact the problem is in other people’s reluctance to accept views other  than their own and in refusing to enrich themselves with something that is not similar to themselves.

Diversity offers us the opportunity to enjoy being genuine and unique. Which in itself is something that few people can boast of.

The best part of “For the Birds” is the attitude of our protagonist.  The way in which a strangely whimsical bird encounters this group of storks that gaze at his presence on the power line with great suspicion.

His smile does not clot at any point; it is his cover letter, his strength, and his magic. That kind smile that at some point becomes curious and also pious, because when we encounter a host of negative and one-sided beings, there is definitely only one force that can work for goodness and kindness.

He will not give up. He doesn’t care that none of these other birds respond to the greeting. He doesn’t care that they don’t make room for him on the power line. Our affectionate protagonist remains unshakable and endures,  and instead of sneaking quietly to the scene to break the initial tension, he decides to make himself comfortable between them.

This daring act evokes a series of criticisms, whispers, and annoying and endearing gestures that elicit thousands of smiles and hysterical laughter. The end result is one of the most epic films produced by Pixar, and it won an Oscar in 2001 for Best Animated Short Film of the Year, as well as an Annie Award and a mention at the Sitges Festival.

Sometimes our striving to be all and equal and similar can be shrouded in nudity caused by our own shortcomings. This is something that doesn’t happen in the company of real people, where difference means specialness. “For the Birds” is a metaphor for just that.