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‘The Three Fishermen’ (Los tres pescadores), directed by Nicolás Lara Valenzuela, is a short stop-motion animated film about Juan, a 12-year-old boy who goes fishing for the first time with his father and grandfather. Expected to follow in his family’s footsteps and take up the trade, Juan’s first trip at sea unfolds very differently from what his father had hoped.
Just 12 minutes long, probably a clever allusion to its protagonist’s age, ‘The Three Fishermen’ opens with Juan chopping wood near his house. The entire film is rich with ambient sounds that instantly transport the viewer to the cold, wintry sea-side town the tale is set in.
At first glance, the dull colors and heavy mood of ‘The Three Fishermen’ make it feel almost like a grim horror film. In reality, it’s a tender coming-of-age tale, centered on a boy’s first fishing expedition and the question of whether he belongs to a life at sea. Unfortunately, the day ends on a disappointing note, but Juan’s mother manages to find a big silver lining in the darkness.
The stop-motion animation is deliberately simple, with slightly stiff, unhurried movements that make it obvious these characters are hand-crafted. Viewers accustomed to the polish of stop-motion movies made by big names like Henry Selick (Coraline), Wes Anderson (Fantastic Mr. Fox), or Guillermo del Toro (Pinocchio) may find this modest production visually underwhelming by comparison.
Still, the film’s sincerity carries it through. In just 12 minutes, it captures quiet father–son tension and gently contrasts it with a mother’s ability to see things more clearly. The sound design, blending a soft score with the rhythms of the sea and nature, adds warmth, reinforcing how adult expectations can overwhelm children, and how empathy and understanding can ultimately reframe disappointment.
The Three fishermen is available on Prime Video (depending on the region)
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