A Timeless Cartoon That's Still Got It - The Adventures of Homa

I still remember watching the animated movie 'The Adventures of Homa' back in 1978. It's a cartoon that's been stuck in my head since I was a kid, and it's still got some great quotes that really stick with you. The show is about the adventures of two friends, Homa and Suslik, who live in the forest and get into all sorts of mischief.

Personally, I don't have any preconceptions about age, although the traditional idea is that older means wiser, stronger, and right - just like the squirrel in the movie. But life has shown me that this isn't always true, and often not at all. I understand that with my 'seniority', I might have an advantage over the 'youngbloods'. But I think relationships should be built on mutual respect and equality. At least, older people should try to be less dominant, as this can be damaging. The song 'Vzroslye' by Laskovy Mai comes to mind: 'You lived by the principle that whoever grows up is right.'Вы жили по принципу прав тот, кто повзрослей

It's the same in the movie - Homa thinks he's right because he's 'grown up'. But Suslik is more open-hearted, accepting friendship at face value without any hidden agenda or personal gain. However, this changes later in the movie - Suslik starts to realize that the concept of friendship needs to be approached with caution, or else Homa will end up on his head forever. There's a great piece of folk wisdom about friendship: 'Everyone wants to have a friend, but not everyone is willing to be one.' When it comes to friendships, there aren't any hard and fast rules or scripts to follow. Of course, being friends, having buddies, and just intuitively knowing when to draw the line without suffocating each other is a must. Although having a bunch of friends isn't always necessary – you might end up getting disappointed – you can be a colleague, business partner, or just someone you have a good chat with. At the end of the day, friendship is friendship, and that's a folk wisdom that people won't start broadcasting anytime soon. There's also this trend: the older you get, the fewer 'friends' you tend to have. In your youth, literally anyone you meet can be considered a friend. There's even a bit of a competition going on: who's got the most friends, but nobody really cares about the quality of those friendships yet. On the other hand, the most reckless (and ridiculous) actions done 'in the name of friendship' usually happen during your younger years. So, the cartoon starts with a typical morning scene where two friends, Homa and Suslik, wake up. They're friends, and they've got their own separate little dens. And that's true:

Happy is he who is at home.

I've got to give it to the creators of the Domik characters - they've really made them stand out, and it's a clever touch. The skinny, long-tailed squirrel and the chubby, short-legged bear are a perfect match for their homes. And the personalities of the characters are just as well-suited to their physical appearances: the bear, Homa, is clearly the more serious, authoritarian type, while the squirrel, Suslik, is all about being carefree and fun-loving. It's a great visual touch, and it really makes the characters feel more distinct and memorable. One morning, the two friends wake up and decide to do a morning exercise routine. Homa has an idea: 'Why don't I let Suslik do the exercise for me?' But of course, there's a catch.

'Are you my friend?'

'Of course I am!' Suslik replies with a grin, and Homa takes advantage of the situation.

'Still, what a friend!'

It turns out that Homa has been slacking off, while Suslik is more than happy to take on the exercise routine.

One thing that's really noticeable in the show is how much time is dedicated to Suslik's exercise routine. It's not just a quick workout, either - it's a full-on, intense session that really gets Homa exhausted. And that's the point: Suslik is doing the exercise for Homa, so Homa needs to feel the effects of it too. It's a clever way to show just how much Suslik is willing to go for his friend, and it's a great example of the kind of heart and humor that the show has in spades. The friendship between Suslik and his friend is truly something special, and it's something that really makes the show stand out.

I've got to say, the moment when Homa finally gets into character and goes all out is pretty epic. He's convinced Squirrel owes him for everything, and it's all about a serious matter - breakfast. Squirrel's gotta go through the forest to get some pea pods, but things take a turn when Homa literally flies off after the pods. You'll have to watch it to see how he does it, and it's a real laugh.

This cartoon's been stuck in my head since I was a kid, and I've seen it plenty of times over the years - it's still got some great quotes that really stick with you. I've highlighted the ones about friendship and growing up, but there's another one that's just as funny.

Don't make me laugh, I'm not allowed to

It seems like a silly thing, but the scene with this quote is actually really well done - it's got some great characters in it, and I don't want to give it away. Let's just say it's a funny episode, and you'll enjoy watching it. I'm not going to spoil the ending, but it's a great one - it's logical, and it's got some real heart. The friendship between Homa and Suslik is truly something special, and it's something that really makes the show stand out.

Measure by the measure that you measure, you will be measured

Suslik, I've learned some valuable lessons, and I'm pretty sure he's learned his lesson too - he won't be wrapping himself in twine anytime soon. But that doesn't mean he and Homa aren't still buddies. Homa's had some life lessons of his own.This is what life experience is all about. There aren't any ready-made recipes or formulas - every situation is unique, and you need to be able to read the signs and make quick decisions. Of course, you've got to have a basic understanding of right and wrong from the get-go.

***

I think 'The Adventures of Homa' is another absolute masterpiece of Soviet animation. It's got everything, and it's suitable for all ages. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, the character designs are top-notch, and the animation is lovely. It's a thought-provoking film with a deep message - and I mean deep. It's all about the value of friendship, and that's a topic that's rich for philosophical discussion.

There are some really clever moments in this film, some great humor, and Homa's laughter is infectious. In one scene, he's laughing at a joke that's not even that funny, but his laughter is what makes it funny. I'm no expert, but that's the kind of laughter that's worth mentioning.

I've also got to give a shout-out to the music in this film. Composed by Miklós Rózsa, it's not overhyped, but it's incredibly melodic and really adds to the atmosphere and sense of comfort.