Radar Redux.com is expanding the traditional concept of journalism, to cover a wide array of Baltimore Arts and Culture.
I had no idea what to expect when walking up to the Charles Theatre one recent rainy afternoon to see the Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films. I love film, and am open to many genres– but short films, and even more so animated shorts, are something I know little about. It is my habit to comfortably settle into a theatre and prepare to be taken on a journey of emotions, gradually becoming drawn into the lives and stories of characters whom after an hour and fifteen minutes, I feel that I know. Seeing these shorts films was a learning experience. One that made me appreciate another side of cinema I had never before given a chance. Most of the films were quirky little comedies that took one on a journey (mostly comical) through silly twists and schemes that made the audience laugh a few times, and smile at the finish. There was one film however that was the exception, standing far above all its fellow nominees (and as the recent Oscars, have proved, I was not the only one who thought so).
Logorama is the name of the French winner directed by Francois Alaux and Herve de Crecy. From start to finish the film is a visual and creative masterpiece. The plot is that of classic American cinema; good guys chasing bad guys from start to finish. What is remarkable about the film (that starts out in LA), is that the universe that these directors have created is entirely made out of logos. Through the riveting and exciting plot, complete with gunfights and harsh language, you find your eye jumping from person, to place, to background, in awe of the logos that have been so perfectly and wittily incorporated into the film. From AOL icon men as the “extras” walking around, to Hollywood’s Leo the Lion as the lion in the zoo, the labeled North Face side of a mountain that gets exposed during an earthquake, to the Ronald McDonald villain… Some 2,500 logos in all flood the film in creative ways one could never imagine. This year’s Best Animated Short Film is unlike any other film you’ve seen. Check the entire film out here;
Here are the other nominees which were delightful in and of themselves.
French Roast, from France; about a snobby businessman in a Parisian café who when he goes to pay his bill realizes he has forgotten his wallet.
Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty from Ireland; about a grandmother telling her version of the story of Sleeping Beauty to her terrified granddaughter and in doing so reveals her unfortunate personal experiences with rejection in earlier years.
The Lady and the Reaper from Spain; about a kind old lady whose only desire is to be taken by death so that she can be finally reunited with her husband who has passed. Right when this dream is about to come true, doctors and health professionals fight to do what they think she would want; keep her here on earth.
A Matter of Loaf and Death from the UK; the latest adventure of the beloved Wallace and Gromit, that circulates around the recent, mysterious, disappearance of twelve bakers. Gromit finds himself unraveling this mystery and in doing so realizes that Wallace is the next target, and it is his job to protect him.
Tags: animated, charles theatre, film, french, Logorama, short
Filed Under: Feature Sights
No Comments