Annecy 2011 – Day 5: Annecy PLUS
When Annecy regular Bill Plympton had his Oscar nominated film ‘Guard Dog’ rejected by the festival, ‘Annecy Plus’ was created as a way to screen all the rejected films that were still worth seeing. In its 6th year the selection didn’t have a single duffer in them which is more than can be said for some of the films that got into the actual festival and although a few didn’t use original music or may have lacked the professional edge that the best animations have, they were thoroughly entertaining and interesting. Which at the end of the day, isn’t that what animation should be all about?
If you take a look at some of the shorts in the ‘Plus’ section (below), you might question what was going through the minds of the selection jury when they rejected them. Most notably ‘Bottle’ and ‘Marvin’.
The Le Code Bar was used as the venue and using a projector and a white sheet set up in the terrace, the films were screened in front of a huge crowd in four groups. There was live music playing in the intervals … but as the beer flowed and the films were given the applause and appreciation they deserved, the police arrived as someone had complained about the party. However, after the matter was settled the fun continued and everyone had a fantastic time feeling slightly naughty … for having fun.
Here are the films summed up in a few words…
Masks
Dir. Pat Smith
Wonderfully executed animation created in Pat Smiths signature style.
Book Girl and Cabinet Girl
Dir. Jane Wu
Melancholic film set beautifully to the piano piece accompanying it.
Grandpa Looked Like William Powel
Dir. David Levy
A trip through Grandpas autograph book brings laughter as we take a trip down memory lane.
The Mouse That Soared
Dir. Kyle Bell
A fun CGI flick about a mouse that is adopted by a pair of birds with high hopes for him.
Christmas Shoes
Dir. Brian Musikoff and John Kuramoto
Animated visuals give Patton Oswalts stand-up routine an extra layer of hilarity in this side splitting look at a Christian rock song.
Enrique Wrecks the World
Dir. David Chai
A madcap chain of unpredictable events take place when a bad boy, tries to turn good.
The Mighty Hunter
Dir. Michael Ekblad
In the hunters bedroom his prize trophies plot against him in this well-crafted CGI treat.
The Birthday Surprise
Dir. Danne Bakker
Granddad is given a special birthday treat in the red light district.
Honayns Shoe
Dir. Mohamed Ghazala
A silhouetted walk through the desert resulting in a twist reveal accompanied by a well-placed soundtrack.
Preferably Blue
Dir. Alan Dickson
Harry Enfield stars as the depressed Easter Bunny who attempts to discredit a limelight stealing Santa. Wonderfully silly.
Things You’d Better Not Mix Up
Dir. Joost Lieuwma
A colourful, snappy and entertaining look at the worst things you can mix up.
Dirkjan Rules
Dir. Wilfred Ottenheijm and Remco Polman
Comic romp as two mischievous aliens make an average Joe an evil dictator leading to world destruction and a very funny motive.
Marvin
Dir. Mark Nute
Expertly crafted comic tale as we follow a boy with a hole in his head on his adventures. With a poem to rival the work of Roald Dahl read out by Steve Coogan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3oYiYOKerIv
Pecker
Dir. Erick van Schaaik
A tale of teamwork as a buffalo and a small bird struggle to get along put together in stop motion and 2D
The Naughty List
Dir. Ben Mitchell
When Santa gives in he displays his excuses in stunning HD. A fun short with a cracking punch line.
Bottle
Dir. Kirsten Lepore
Excellently crafted snow and sand sculptures animate an adventure in which they share each other’s worlds.
Rocks in My Pockets
Dir. Signe Baumane
Simply a funny film about depression.
———————
Guard Dog Global Jam
Dir. Bill Plympton
Can you re-create a well-loved film using loads of wildly different styles in quick succession? Is Bill Plympton a madman? The answer to both is … yes.
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Dir. William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg
Bookworm fun as Mr Lessmore cares for his flying books bringing colour to a grey world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VljJIQuPDSE
Fizzy Beverage
Dir. Skip Wrightson
Fizzy pop nonsense brings the wonderful show to an enjoyable conclusion.