If you've ever met a twenty-something with a moustache waxing poetically about Camut's The Stranger, you have The NeverEnding Story to thank. It's essentially every kid's introduction to existentialism. In a land that is slowly fading into nothingness, a young boy is tasked with its salvation. I understand why they would bring Bastian into the mix. After all, the pure heart of a child and imagination and rainbows and stuff like that would probably be enough to fight off the Nothing, but why Atreyu? He's supposed to be the strongest warrior in Fantasia, and no one raises an eyebrow at that? This kid has to pretty much travel through hell by himself? Yeah, that sounds about right. So you're watching The NeverEnding Story, and you think you've got a handle on it. Nothing too bad, no tears yet. But then Atreyu gets to the Swamps of Sadness, and even as a kid you know nothing good can come out of that. Anyway, long story short, kid you were right, because Atreyu's beloved horse Artax can't fight the crippling sadness caused by the swamps, and quickly drowns. I've often tried to think of a more apt visualisation of depression, but this movie has been out since 1984 and I haven't come up with anything yet.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
