Water is running out in the forest, and the only animal willing to do something about it is a hedgehog. Latte Igel und der magische Wasserstein, a German animated adventure from 2019, was directed by Regina Welker and Nina Wels and runs 82 minutes.
What is Latte Igel und der magische Wasserstein about?
A magic stone controls the forest's water, and a greedy bear has taken it so that he can keep every drop for himself. The other animals are left facing the loss of the thing they all depend on. Latte, a hedgehog with more courage than caution, decides the stone has to be brought back. A squirrel comes along too, and the squirrel is as timid as the hedgehog is bold. The two are badly matched on paper, and the trip to the bear only works if they learn to rely on each other. From there the film is a quest: a journey out of the home forest, a powerful opponent waiting at the far end, and a friendship that is tested on the way.
About the cast
Regina Welker and Nina Wels share the directing credit. The voice cast listed for the version in the catalogue is Danny Fehsenfeld, Ashley Bornancin, Leslie L. Miller, Byron Marc Newsome, Eric Saleh and Gunnar Sizemore. Since this is animation, their work is entirely vocal, giving the forest animals their personalities through tone and timing.
Context & significance
The German title translates roughly as 'Latte the Hedgehog and the Magic Water Stone', and it sums up the plot neatly: a hero, an object and a mission. The film is filed under adventure, animation, family and fantasy, a mix that points to a story meant for children and the adults watching beside them. The fantasy element is light. It rests on a single enchanted stone, while the setting stays a recognisable woodland full of talking animals. Underneath the quest sits an idea that young viewers can grasp easily, that something everyone needs should not be hoarded by one creature. The pairing of a brave lead with a nervous companion is a classic device in family animation, because it lets each character grow toward the other. At 82 minutes the running time is typical for an animated feature and comfortable for a family evening.
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