Summary
- Independent animated films offer depth and beauty but struggle for recognition.
- Mary and Max explores isolation in a unique friendship, captivating with its gloomy charm.
- Animation showcases diverse genres and themes, from lighthearted comedy to emotional documentaries.
Animated films have been around for generations, and in their time on the screen, they have captivated viewers of all ages with fictional stories of alternative universes and explorations of emotions that receive far less discourse than they should. The market is dominated by titans like Disney and Pixar, so it is hard to be exposed to some of the lesser-known productions that hold just as much quality and care.
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The world of independent animated films is a mixed landscape of artsy productions with a deeper meaning and lower-budget masterpieces that demonstrate the beauty in the little things. And although Japan has its fair share of classic films, the western world still has plenty to offer in terms of animation and animated universes.
Mary And Max
A Charming Tale Of Friendship And Loneliness
Mary and Max
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- April 9, 2009
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 92 Minutes
- Director
- Adam Elliot
Adam Elliot is a master craftsman when it comes to claymation, as has been shown time and time again, and most recently with Memoir of a Snail. But even that film is on the lower end of the recognition scale, and Mary and Max is an even lesser-known movie that still holds all the same level of charm and beauty as many respected mainstream films.
It chronicles the unconventional friendship that blossoms between an eight-year-old Australian girl and a 44 obese man from New York, exploring themes of isolation and friendship in a way that few other films have ever attempted. The gloomy aesthetic is perfectly paralleled by the life in the characters and every moment is full of emotion, some good and some bad.
Ruben Brandt, Collector
Art Theft On A Grander Scale
Ruben Brandt, Collector
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- February 15, 2019
- Runtime
- 96 Minutes
- Director
- Milorad Krstic
Collector is an intriguing thriller that takes many different art styles, like cubism, that are traditionally reserved for conventional art, and animates them in a beautifully hypnotic manner that has just as much intrigue as it does beauty. The plot follows a psychotherapist and his nightmares involving various artworks and his group of patients who set out on a heist to steal each and every one of them.
Adult animation has been around for many years, but this film takes things in a very different direction, focusing more on psychological themes and deeper topics within a person's psyche and really delving into the depths of what it means to be human. A hidden gem that many will have missed, but one that is well worth the visit.
The Painting
When The Art Becomes Self-aware
- Release Date: 2011
- Genre: Drama, Adventure
- Rating: U
- Runtime: 76
- Director: Jean-François Laguioni
The Painting is about as French as a movie can get, involving subjects within paintings that come alive and interact with one another, all searching for their creator. The different styles that they encounter within each painting add a level of uniqueness to the story, as no two frames are the same, and the world is constantly evolving.
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It is a very self-aware, meta-narrative that plays with the plot in very literal ways and invites viewers to peer beyond the canvas at the deeper meanings behind both the film and art as a whole. The whole story speaks to a broader notion of societal division and a rejection of authority, condensed into a digestible package that anybody can enjoy.
The Last Unicorn
Journeying To The Edge Of The Earth
The Last Unicorn
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- November 19, 1982
- Director
- Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.
- Writers
- Peter S. Beagle
An early animated movie that still holds significant weight today, The Last Unicorn is a delicate and emotional tale that follows a solitary unicorn and their realization that their entire race has been driven to the edge of the earth by the mighty Red Bull, and it is up to them to be the savior.
The film has quite a cast, with talents like Christopher Lee and Mia Farrow, but it has been mostly kept in obscurity. But for those who do encounter it and choose to watch, they are greeted with a melancholic world that isn't afraid to speak its mind and demonstrate that animation can be just as free as any other medium.
Doogal (The Magic Roundabout)
A Magical Adaptation That Few Remember
Doogal
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- February 11, 2005
- Runtime
- 82 Minutes
- Director
- Jean Duval, Frank Passingham, Dave Borthwick
The Magic Roundabout is a classic kids' movie that missed the mark when it came to the box office but still remains a fantastic movie to revisit, even if the animation style is a bit unconventional at times. Zebad is back from his frozen tomb, and the ragtag team of a cow, a rabbit, a dog, and a talking train must journey across the world in search of crystals to save the day.
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The movie is a carefree ride that is self-aware of its absurdity and isn't afraid to keep things silly even in the face of struggle. The visuals might not be groundbreaking or particularly impressive, but it is the perfect film for anyone looking to scratch their itch for nonsensical fun.
Song Of The Sea
A Blending Of Supernatural Folklore And Family Dynamics
Song of the Sea
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- December 10, 2014
- Runtime
- 93 Minutes
- Director
- Tomm Moore
Song of the Sea is how animated family narratives should be, beautifully combining fantasy with reality through a delicate balance of the supernatural and real-life problems. Ben and his mute sister Saorse undergo a transformation, both metaphorically and physically in some cases, and set out to free mythical creatures from the evil that plagues the world.
The hand-drawn style makes everything feel more intimate and sincere, and following the two kids on their adventure brings plenty of wonder for younger viewers and just as much enjoyment for the older generation. A true exploration of what it means to have a family, despite the differences and mistakes made along the way.
A Town Called Panic
Crude Stop-Motion With More Than A Few Laughs
A Town Called Panic
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- June 17, 2009
- Runtime
- 74 Minutes
- Director
- Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar
A Town Called Panic is just pure comedy. A delightfully lighthearted tale that uses awkwardly staged props to capture the surreal adventure of three plastic toys and the series of increasingly absurd events that follow them along the way. The sets are crude yet charming, and the level of detail that is captured with such a simple approach is nothing but remarkable.
The jerky movements, the deliberate inclusion of certain armatures, and the overall childish aesthetic, make the film feel like something straight out of a kids' toy box and so much more. This, combined with the deadpan humor and at times ludicrous scenarios, makes every moment a pleasure and a film that viewers will be giggling about for hours after it ends.
Tower
Animation Takes On The Documentary
Tower
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- March 13, 2016
- Runtime
- 83 minutes
- Director
- Keith Maitland
The seriousness of the documentary format and the accessibility of the animated style are combined to bring Tower to life. A chronicling of one of America's first school shootings, the movie pays deep respect to those who lost their lives, and never strays too far into the abstract by keeping the style realistic but still visually stunning.
The film intentionally pulls attention away from the shooter and focuses on the experiences of those affected, highlighting the heroism and trauma experienced to deliver an emotional and deeply personal film that demonstrates the power of animation and the importance of telling these stories.
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