It would certainly take plenty of character and determination to devote several years of one's life to a single, personal project...and actually go through with it, of course. An outsider's mentality would be required, not to mention the patience to solve problems created by long days, longer nights and the smallest of details. The film world includes plenty of popular candidates, including Matoko Shinka's Voices of a Distant Star (2003), a polished 30-minute animated production that took roughly five years to complete. It's certainly a different film altogether, but Christiane Cegavske's Blood Tea and Red String (2006) belongs in the same family: it's an intensely personal story hand-crafted by one person. The project took roughly thirteen years to complete, but Cegavske's "fairy tale for adults" is about as oddly compelling as stop-motion animation gets.

Completely devoid of dialogue and narration, Blood Tea and Red String relies on music and atmosphere to tell its story; especially tough, since the other-worldly animals involved aren't built for exaggerated facial expressions. This isn't to say that Cegavske's story is easy to follow, of course: first-time viewers may experience plenty of frustration, the same way one would during an off-center film like David Lynch's nightmarish Eraserhead. To its credit, though, the slightly more down-to-earth Blood Tea and Red String tells a simple story of jealousy, affection and culture clash, rather than a deliberately abstract puzzle. The story centers around two groups of animals: the White Mice (seen above), who spend their days drinking blood wine and playing cards; and the Creatures Who Dwell Under the Oak (a bird/fox hybrid, for lack of a better term), who have crafted a doll for them. Here's the problem: the doll is so beautiful that they refuse to give it up, so the White Mice steal it during the night. The bulk of the story, then, focuses on the Creatures' bizarre journey to get their creation back.

As a straightforward story, Blood Tea and Red String flow well but still stumbles a bit along the way. The stop-motion format partners well with the storybook visuals, yet it's easy to see this is the work of someone still learning the ropes. Even so, some of the jittery, awkward animation gives the film its homemade charm; if nothing else, the sheer scope of everything helps soften the criticism. The costume designs and backgrounds are perhaps the strongest visually, making us forget that this was essentially a one-person, kitchen table project. Even with its flaws, Blood Tea and Red String is a fine debut and should thrill those who love animation that's basic and complex at the same time.

Presented on DVD by Koch Vision, Blood Tea and Red String arrives in fine fashion and shouldn't be hard to track down. The main feature is paired with a solid technical presentation, while the thoughtful assortment of bonus material reveals the woman behind the curtain. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

Presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Blood Tea and Red String looks good for a film of modest origins. The image is intentionally dark, creating a great atmosphere but often making certain sequences a bit hard to follow (especially the first time around). Colors are generally muted but accurate, while no major digital problems were on display.

The audio is presented in its original Dolby Digital 3.1 mix (left, front, right and subwoofer) or a down-mixed 2.0 track; the former, in particular, creates a subtle but creepy atmosphere that sets the mood perfectly. Since we only hear music and sound effects during Blood Tea and Red String, no subtitles are needed.

It's no secret that Christiane Cegavske's Blood Tea and Red String will only appeal to a select audience; not only for the dark, surreal subject matter on display, but for the way it's been presented. Even so, those who appreciate strong atmosphere and don't mind narrative-free films should enjoy this refreshingly grim fairy tale. The DVD presentation is light but satisfying, combining a solid technical presentation with a few intimate bonus features. Curious parties may want to rent it first, but there's enough here to make Blood Tea and Red String a worthy purchase. Recommended.