Anapoda

Seryi volk & Krasnaya Shapochka

October 27th, 2007

Written and directed by Garry Bardin.

Description: Many consider this to be a true gem of modern russian animation, produced in a society where censorship was losing control and depicting a funny perspective of the decaying USSR. This is a comical remix and mix at the same time of stories such as the Little red riding hood, The three little pigs and Snow white, a cocktail of russian irony and american culture. Even though it is in russian, the picture is subtitled and is a really funny wonderful watch.

IMDB link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0210974/

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Posted in russia, claymation, political, musical | No Comments »

La Course à l’abîme

October 26th, 2007

Written and directed by Georges Schwizgebel.

Description: This is quite a different type of animation, one which I could only describe as a morphing painted animation. Although quite chaotic in pace and confusing at times, the animation is a tiny masterpiece in terms of artistic value, and quite a treat for the opera lovers, featuring a beautiful soundtrack, The Damnation of Faust - Scene XVIII, performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Even though it begins close up with a horse riding scene, the camera slowly moves away to reveal that the whole composition is actually a single moving painting that the camera pans around in a spiraling motion. As the action unfolds, it presents a conceptual exploration of the world and humanity itself, with the recurring motif of the horse riders. Although not accessible to any viewer and more less so to those with little patience and tired eyes, this piece of art is well worth watching.

IMDB link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0380282/

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Posted in painting, humanity, conceptual, weird, classic animation | No Comments »

Lipscani

October 24th, 2007

Directed by Octavian Fedorovici, music by Alexander Balanescu & The Balanescu Quartet.

Description: A weird little piece of Romanian animation, created by a student of the Cluj Napoca university of Arts and Design. Although the overall meaning, I have to say, eludes me a bit, it is a refreshing bit of animation with an interesting technique and some touching violin notes to go along. Enjoy.

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Posted in conceptual, weird, spiritual, classic animation | 1 Comment »

La faim

October 24th, 2007

Directed by Peter Foldes.

Description (Robert Reynolds): This short, produced by the National Film Board of Canada, was nominated for an Academy Award. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll see why. Not easily forgotten, although you may wish to. The choice of animation styles was made, I suspect, deliberately, in order to keep viewers off-balance. It’s a perfect choice. A thought-provoking, extremely unsettling look at hunger in many forms. If you are easily disturbed or offended, this probably isn’t for you. Otherwise, highly recommended.

IMDB link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0071636/

[ Mature content warning ]

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Posted in macabre, conceptual, weird, classic animation | 1 Comment »

Steamboat Willie

October 22nd, 2007

Written and directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks.

Description: Today Anapoda is featuring another important part of animation history, one of the first (third actually, and first one to have sound) Mickey Mouse animations from Walt Disney. The sound to this animation was actually added at the suggestion of Walt’s brother, Roy Disney. Some of you might already know this one from Cartoon Network specials or other videos or documentaries where it might have been sampled or featured, and while it might seem rudimentary compared to most of today’s animations, it is still funny and an undeniable part of animation history. It is also part of the evolution of a character that made my, and probably a lot of kids’ childhoods happier - Mickey Mouse. Enjoy this one and pass it along to the kids.

IMDB link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0019422/

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