WATCH: Britt Raes’s ‘Catherine’ released online
Catherine, a multi-award-winning 2D animated festival hit directed by Britt Raes, has today been released online. Produced by Karim Rhellam of Belgium’s Creative Conspiracy, the film tells the tragically comical life story of Catherine, a cat-lady-in-waiting whose love for animals is at odds with her being something of a jinx; pets don’t last long in her care, until an affectionate (and, most importantly, durable) blue cat enters her life.
With its blend of dark, bizarre humour and genuine heart the film has been screened at over 200 festivals, picking up awards at 50+ including Hiroshima, Cinanima, the Dublin Animation Film Festival, Animakom, Womanimation, Star Film Festival, San Sebastian Horror and Fantasy Film Festival, Zabut International Animation Film Festival, Lago Film Festival and the Leeds International Film Festival among others.
It all started out with me thinking about what the feeling of ‘home’ means to someone. In 2012 I was looking for a house together with my boyfriend. We had stayed at my mom’s house before that and the cat there was mine, so she moved to the new house together with me and my boyfriend. It made me think about the importance of a pet, how it influenced me as a young girl. I found it a fascinating subject as it was very personal, but at the same time tapped into a universal feeling.
I am fascinated by the importance of ‘pets’ on a universal level, and the significance they have in peoples personal life. It’s so interesting how people humanize their pets, and reflects their own thoughts and emotions on an animal.
-Britt Raes, Director
You can read our full interview with Britt Raes here and see more of her work at brittraes.tumblr.com