Anapoda

Directed by Peter Cornwell, written by Peter Cornwell and Mark Bradridge.

IMDB link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0379000/

[ Mature content warning ]

Direct by Anthony Lucas and written by Mark Shirrefs.

Description: Set in a steam-powered mechanical universe, the animation tells the story of Jasper Morello, an aerial navigator fallen out of grace, and his adventurous trip in search of a cure for his plague-ridden homeworld and his one true love. In his journey, Morello discovers and abandoned dirigible by chance, a discovery which leads him through unknown water, to an island dwelled by a terrible monster, a monster which may however hold the cure to the terrible plague. The journey back to civilization is a horrific and turbulent one, ridden with philosophical introspection which finally leads Morello to the realization that the worst plague of all lies within man itself. Although not a watch for everyone, and definitely not one to show the kids, “The mysterious explorations of Jasper Morello” excels through excellent animation and visual imagery, a very well composed story and last but not least the wonderful voice narration and characters.

IMDB link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0469146/

Written and directed by Cordell Barker.

Description: This is the story of Mr. Johnson, a quiet man, living a peaceful life, who has the misfortune becoming the new owner of a tiny cute yellow cat. This tinny kitty however proves to be the devil itself and this whole funny animation revolves around the havoc the kitty creates in Mr. Johnson’s life and his desperate futile attempts to get rid of it. This one you definitely have to see and share with your friends and also a great watch for the kids.

IMDB link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0094847/

Directed and written by Bruno Bozzetto.

Description: Grasshoppers (Cavallette) is a sardonic look at history and make a very effective point about the ultimate realities and who the victors of war really are. The animation is excellently drawn and while the background music isn’t extraordinary, the action and the general message makes it well worth watching. Do not miss this ironic outlook at humanity’s troubled and violent history.

Seeing this animation also makes a poem named “Grass” come to mind, written by Carl Sandburg, which I will allow myself to share with you:

Grass

Pile the bodies up at Austerlitz and Waterloo,
Shovel them under and let me work
I am the grass I cover all.
And pile them high at Gettysburg and pile them high at Ypres and Verdun,
Shovel them under and let me work
Two years, ten years, and passengers will ask the conductor,
What place is this? Where are we now?
I am the grass let me work.

IMDB link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0099696/

Written and directed by Michael Dudok de Wit.

Description: Father and daughter is an alegory of life and death and time itself, picturing a young girl that parts with her father who leaves on an imagined journey on a boat. Time passes and the girl returns again and again looking out to sea, hoping to see her father, and then she ultimately grows old herself, and in her final days she goes into the sea, which she finds to actually be a grain field, where she finds her father’s boat and then her father himself, symbolizing a long awaited reunion beyond the realm of life. It is a simple animation, but a very touching one nonetheless and it is also guaranteed to make you smile at least once.

IMDB link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0279079/