In a recent interview, we had the opportunity to dive into the artistic vision behind Kate Bush’s new animated short film, *Little Shrew*. Written, directed, and soundtracked by Bush herself, this four-minute animation emerges from her personal sketches, blending elements of love and horror that resonate deeply with viewers.
“It’s been a decade since I last performed live, and my fans were eager for new music,” Bush shared. While some may feel a tinge of disappointment that *Little Shrew* isn’t paired with a brand-new song, it actually features an edited version of “Snowflake,” the opening track from her 2011 album *50 Words for Snow*, which features a duet with her son, Bertie. “I hinted in a BBC Radio 4 interview that I might start writing new material soon,” she added.
Bush’s exploration of family dynamics has always produced breathtaking work. From the profound admiration captured in “Cloudbusting” to the emotional intensity of “This Woman’s Work,” her art delves into the complexities of parenthood. In *Little Shrew*, she continues this tradition, using the character of a snowflake as a symbol for Bertie, encapsulating the bewilderment and protective instinct that defines parenthood. “The world is so loud / Keep falling / I’ll find you,” Bush sings, illustrating the depths of maternal love and the fear of losing a child in a chaotic world.
However, *Little Shrew* transcends personal boundaries, evolving into a poignant lament for children impacted by war, particularly in Ukraine. A collaboration with the charity War Child, Bush expressed how her original intention for the song has taken on a haunting significance in the context of the animation. “Bertie’s performance is incredibly moving, and while I wrote the song to capture his beautiful voice, it now resonates deeply with the realities faced by children in conflict.”
The film follows a Ukrainian pygmy shrew drawn from Bush’s storyboards and brought to life with the help of illustrator Jim Kay and the animation studio Inkubus. The narrative follows this shrew, who is captivated by a cosmic light amidst a war-torn landscape, leading us to the jarring image of the creature emerging from the pocket of a fallen soldier. As the shrew navigates the chaos caused by drone strikes and bombings, Bush poignantly presents the grim realities of war portrayed through a creature that embodies innocence.
During our conversation, Bush acknowledged that some might find portraying a shrew as a protagonist overly sentimental. “However, for me, it highlights the horror of the situation,” she explained. The vulnerability of the shrew, combined with its instinctual fear, brings forth a rawness that could easily have been lost had a child been the central figure.
Ultimately, Bush crafted an ambiguous ending for *Little Shrew*, maintaining a delicate balance between hope and despair. The shrew tumbles through darkness, perhaps reflecting the plight of children caught in conflict. Bush’s repeated affirmation, “The world is so loud / Keep falling / I’ll find you,” serves as a poignant reminder to these children that they are not forgotten, fueled by her immense love for her own son. Yet, the film also underscores the unrelenting nature of their reality, leaving viewers with a heart-wrenching sense of loss for all children affected by war.
