Strit og Stumme is a Danish animated film based on Bent Haller's Book Blåfolket. In the English dub, it's known as Dreaming of Paradise.
In the After the End future, people have been living underground due to pollution making the Earth cold and uninhabitable. Humanity lives in deep caves where they are slaves to the giant rats who now have power, but a girl named Strit, inspired by her grandmother's stories about the life humans once had on the surface, will not give up hope for "Paradise", so she and her friend Bluenose begin the journey towards the surface.
On the way they find a mysterious mute little boy, Stumme, who joins the journey. According to the stories, a bird will arrive to help lead the people to the Earth's surface.
They face adversity from the rats, who are led by Mr. President and his general. The pair are threatened by the humans' dream, claiming that the dreaming "wanderers" will wake the giant snake.
This film provides examples of:
- After the End: The story takes place in an apocalyptic world when the earth froze over due to pollution.
- Bittersweet Ending: Strit and Stumme are the only survivors who make it to the Earth surface. Yet they find the paradise they always dreamed of as we see the Earth is finally recovering.
- Crying Wolf: This happens to Bluenose when he tries to warn the humans about the lava rising but they don't believe him since he's always drunk. Only Strit, Gran and Fooly believe it when they see the evidence dismally the tribe refuse to acknowledge it.
- G-Rated Drug: Bluenose's favorite mushrooms that he get the liquor from. This comes in handy when they use it on a guard rat to free Stumme.
- Death Is a Sad Thing: Gran passes on, Strit thinks she's sleeping at first but it sinks in. This breaks Stumme's heart since she was one of the closest to a mother to him.
- Easy Amnesia: The Bird suffers through this, not seeming to remember the right way to paradise. But eventually find their way
- Elective Mute: Stumme is this, Gran's death prompts him to cry and say "Gran", uttering more words to finally speaking upon reaching Paradise.
- Empty Shell: This happens to both Bluenose and Fooly after captured by the rats when their hopes and dreams are stolen thus making them simple emotionless puppets like every human who simply just digs.
- Fantastic Racism: Basically the issue with the Rats regarding the humans which their leader states they are dangerous.
- Greater-Scope Villain: While the rats are basically the villain but the biggest threat is the Giant snake from Gran's stories. Once it's slain by the volcano, the earth starts to recover from the eternal winter.
- Growing Up Sucks: As everyone in the group dissapears, it's only Strit and Stumme, all alone to rely on one another as they take responsibility to survive.
- Music Soothes the Savage Beast: Bluenose mentioned that music keeps the rats away. But this is played with when Stumme starts playing and only causes the rats (minus their leader who hates music) to dance a bit enjoying themselves. Even the Rat girls like music but is short lived when Mr President shoots the jukebox much to their annoyance.
- The Only Believer: Strit and her friends, regarding the prophecy in Gran's Stories to reach paradise.
- What Is Going On? : Second in command rat has this reaction when he sees the doped up guard rat dancing around. His reaction is to yell "WHAT?"
