Based on a short story of the same name by Mordecai Richler about the reactions of members of a Jewish family to the death of a grandmother, the film makes a strong statement about how many families respond to their old and infirm members. In paint on glass animation, with washes of watercolour and ink, Leaf illustrates reactions to a dying grandmother, captures the subjects' feelings and distills them into harsh reality.[4][5]
In addition to its numerous film festival awards, in 1984, the Olympiad of Animation, sponsored by the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) and the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, named The Street the 2nd Best Film of All Time (Skazka Skazok, or Tale of Tales, was #1).[6] In 1991, for the 50th anniversary of the founding of ASIFA, a list of "Best Films of All Time: 50 Animated Films for the 50th" was created; The Street was ranked at number nine.
1 These two films were given honorable mentions rather than officially winning the award, but are included here as no other winner was named above them.