Annecy 2012: Films in Competition One
Like a Christmas for animators the Annecy festival is here again and Skwigly are here on the frontline again giving you the latest from the paper airplane filled cinemas and the smoke filled cafes.
Those jealous can be reassured that we were greeted by torrential downpour on our arrival and the sight of hundreds of animation students huddled under the canopy’s of the café des arts sheltering from the rain will remain a familiar sight if the weatherman is to be believed. However the only forecast we should be bothered with is the outlook of the animated cinematic calendar of which the Annecy festival serves as something of a benchmark year upon year.
So to set us off here are the Films in Competition one
L’Mrayet
Dir: Nadia Rais (Tunisia)
This rotascoped, visually interesting style mixes live action with a heavy dose of painting on glass or acrylic which although pleasing to view, conflicts with the anti capitalist story which is too deeply set into the narrative to form much interest. The metaphors are easy enough to understand but they perhaps come a little too late to be enjoyed by the audience, which is a shame.
Wolf dog tales
Dir: Bernadine Santistevan (USA)
Drawing its story and style from ancient indian culture, we are told a handful of tales based on wolves and their relationship with man. Sand plays a key role in this film and serves as a backdrop with the animation effects painted over digitally to make it look like the wolves have been drawn in the sand instead of actually doing so which does not convince as well as it should and lets the film down slightly. But if you are interested in American indian culture the style and story should keep you entertained.
One Minute Puberty
Dir: Alexander Gellner (Germany)
This brilliant black and white barnstorm of a film takes us on a sixty second voyage from boy to man which is purposely crass, fast paced funny and original.
The Chase
Dir: Adriaan Lokman (Netherlands)
An interesting use of 3D as a soundscape, a spy thriller style adventure is played out using only triangles which looks a little like 007 meets Tron or “James Tronned” if you will pardon the pun. It’s a tad too long with every spy movie cliché being used and the shapes can sometimes feel disorienting which ruins the experience. It should be applauded for its original storytelling though.
The Cat
Dir: Goran Stojnic (Croatia)
Cat owners will find the carefully planned movements of this feline very recognisable even if the story is a little long bizarre in places as the cat meanders through its day. The painting on glass style is a very nice touch which the film would be lost without. One for the cat lovers I think.
7596 Frames
Dir: Martin Georgiev (Bulgaria)
A bizarre landscape comprised of just black blocky shapes sets a backdrop to one as it crawls, lurchs and drags itself in one direction. Although not humanoid the shape gives viewers a perfect lesson in movement as its shape changes against the magnetic torrent of cubes that attach to it altering its form as it keeps going.
The Centrifuge Brain Project
Dir: Till Nowak (Germany)
This live action mocumentary of a rollercoaster scientist who creates ever more bizarre ways to thrill patrons. As the film progresses and the rides get evermore absurd so does the attitude of the main character who gives the last laugh that had previously been provided by the effects animation of the rides.
Seven Minutes in a Warsaw Ghetto
Dir: Johan Oettinger (Denmark)
A stop motion story set in the second world war, where the vulgarity of the Nazi regime is presented in its full horror in a relatively straightforward tale of woe.
Tsukomo
Dir: Syuhei Morita (Japan)
A tough traveller rests in a bizarre home which forces his unlikely home craft skills to play a key roll in his survival. The character design and acting leaves little to be desired and is perhaps a little misplaced against such glorious backgrounds but not bad enough to cause too much visual discomfort.
Daffy’s Rhapsody
Dir: Matthew O’Callagham (USA)
Wacky old Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd return to fill the screen with mayhem and madness for four short minutes, Daffy’s new feathery look and Elmers rubbery CGI movements may take a second or two to get used to but before long you find yourself enjoying a good old fashioned Looney Tunes short. How they should be made.