In Lotte Reiniger’s hands, with scissors in hand, black sheets of paper are transformed into fairy-tale objects. The shadows that appear on the screen project the most elegant nuances of centuries-old folklore onto the walls. One of the most delicate examples of craftsmanship in cinematic history, this work by the female director weaves a seemingly timeless dream in the midst of the mechanical age. A stubborn suitor from days gone by embarks on a grueling trial—with the mysterious help of the common folk—to win the heart of the woman he loves. This short animation unfolds by etching into the mind the sense that a single wrong cut would shatter the entire spell. The harmony of sound and silhouette gently draws the viewer into the labor at the desk in that dark room.