We caught the Animated Shorts program at IFFBoston film fest last weekend and our faith in strong, simple storytelling was renewed by these 6 brilliant animators. There wasn’t one we didn’t like; each is aesthetically unique and offer entertaining, often thought-provoking themes not frequently seen in films.
“Kanizsa Hill” by Evelyn Lee
After being shot, a man’s head lives independently from his body. As the headless body wanders in search of itself, the lost head suffers a series of illusions. Using a unique drawing style of line work, crayon sketches and collage techniques, this was one of two of the shorts in the animated competition that dealt with self-separation. Kudos to the voice of the body, who effectively guides the story with a confused, dream-like narration.
“Undone” by Hayley Morris
A somber old man fishes in turbulent waters and struggles to keep the objects he catches from slipping away. Director Hayley Morris created this touching stop motion cartoon as a visual metaphor for Alzheimer’s.
“Incident at Tower 37” by Chris Perry
Set in a seemingly futuristic dry landscape, an attendant of a mysterious water tower soon discovers the real purpose of the tower a little too late. Helmed by a teacher at Hampshire College in Amherst, this computer animated film was produced with contributions from students from the Five College Consortium (Hampshire, UMass-Amherst, Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College, and Amherst College).
“I Am So Proud of You” by Don Hertzfeldt
Numerous award-winning animator, Don Hertzfeldt’s new short offers Chapter 2 of a three part story of the life of Bill, continuing with his troubled family history, a bizarre, and, at times, incoherent study of the simultaneous pain and hilarity’s of life. Hertzfeldt’s signature stick figure style, dark philosophical humor and incredible story-telling tenacity won him the Special Jury Prize at IFFB 2009.
“Skhizein”
A wildly original 3D animated tale about a young Frenchman who is hit by a meteorite and after showing no visible repercussions, realizes he is exactly 91 cm removed from himself. Despite the tragic situation, humor abounds when the young man attempts simple tasks like sitting in a chair or answering the phone. But with or without the futile assistance of a shrink, the optimistic young man reflects and explores the possibility living life beside himself. One of our favorites for its austere aesthetic and poetic resolve.
“Western Spaghetti” by PES
A delightfully imaginative stop motion cartoon that uses everyday objects to create a spaghetti dinner.
– Becca Rodriguez
