A tale of creation: ‘Four Souls of Coyote’ and its timeless wisdom

A modern retelling of ancient myths

Every culture has its own creation myths, from the Mayans’ “Popol Vuh” to the dual accounts in the Judeo-Christian book of Genesis. These stories reflect a universal desire to understand our existence and our place in a grander scheme, often attributed to a higher power. The Hungarian animated feature Four Souls of Coyote, directed by Áron Gauder, offers a unique retelling of such a myth, focusing on the creation of Turtle Island (now known as North America) and its inhabitants, including humans. This tale is shared among various Northeastern Indigenous peoples.

The present-day frame narrative

The story begins in the present, where an unscrupulous oil company is eager to start a pipeline project without addressing environmental concerns. A group of protesters, including Native Americans, stands in opposition. Among them is an elderly Indigenous man who recounts the ancient tale of the Old Man Creator, voiced by Indigenous Canadian actor Lorne Cardinal. This creator, inspired by dreams from “the great mysterious” spirit, brings forth water from nothingness, followed by a duck that provides the material to mold the land and its creatures. The animation here is playful and engaging, with the Old Man Creator manipulating the frame and its elements.

The artistry of animation

The angular design of the Old Man Creator gives his face a woodcarved appearance, enhancing the earthy feel of the animation. Other characters also possess a handcrafted look, setting the film apart from other European animated works and visually aligning it with themes of nature and respect. Gauder and his team blend hand-drawn characters and painterly backgrounds with computer-generated elements, creating captivating imagery. A standout moment is when the Old Man Creator, in a fit of anger, creates lightning depicted as a flying, talking snake, designed to look like a pencil sketch. This rudimentary design reflects the instinctual nature of our most primitive impulses.

The trickster Coyote

In another dream, the Old Man Creator encounters four mischievous coyotes, symbols of disobedience and defiance. He merges them into a single entity, Coyote, voiced humorously by Diontae Black, and grants it four lives before banishing it. Driven by hunger, Coyote creates Man and Woman from the same material used by the Old Man Creator. However, the Old Man prevents Coyote from eating them and puts him in charge of their well-being. Coyote’s desire to kill and his vengeful heart, which eventually leads to British colonialism, drive the fable forward. His antics are reminiscent of Chuck Jones’ Wile E. Coyote.

The role of Coyote in the grand scheme

Coyote’s arrogance, eventual humbling, and ultimate sacrifice highlight that humans are not more important than other creatures in the circle of life. Coyote is not a villain but a chaotic agent of change, reminding us of the wisdom in appreciating all beings. Midway through the tale, the Old Man Creator holds an assembly where animals, initially unable to reproduce, demand companionship. This harmonious vision reflects an idealized reality. The film’s soulful score, featuring Native American music groups Ulali, Northern Cree, and artist Joanne Shenandoah, adds spiritual gravitas.

A Hungarian production with a global message

Surprisingly, this film is a Hungarian production with no obvious ties to its source material. The Hungarian version was the country’s entry for best international feature film at the Oscars last year, and an English-language version is now showing in the U.S. Gauder’s inspiration partly came from Hungarian singer Tamás Cseh, who translated Native American folktales into Hungarian and popularized them in Europe. These tales were published with illustrations by his son.

Balancing solemnity and amusement

With the help of Native American consultants, Gauder and co-writer Géza Bereményi strike a balance between solemnity and amusement, the latter mostly from Coyote’s antics. While Four Souls of Coyote may be overly ambitious in its scope and its present-day component wraps up too neatly, its handcrafted aesthetic and timeless wisdom make it an enlightening experience.

For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Four Souls of Coyote.