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Posts tagged animation
‘Tom-tom boy, what a racket’
I recently got around to seeing Michel Ocelot’s latest animated feature, Tales of the Night, and although it was as enchanting as any of his work I felt that it was most definitely the weakest.
It’s only the third film of his that I have yet to see, the previous two being his most well known titles: Kirikou and the Sorceress and Azur and Asmar. Yet, in the space of these few journeys he has become one of my most favourite filmmakers, if not possibly my favourite animator. Since discovering his work a few years back I’ve always maintained a view that should I ever have kids of my own then I’d want them to see his films, as these are the kind of stories that really inspired me when I was a child. Basic in plot, but very strong in their execution.
Tales of the Night is about two young aspiring filmmakers and an old veteran filmmaker, whom every night meet up at an old cinema and play out their ideas. This forms the basis of the film and what proceeds is a collection of short 10 minute stories which play out in a theatrical style. Ocelot’s usual vibrant colour palette is present, although the whole film is made to look like a shadow puppet show. This means that it is all side on imagery, but noticeable to see how they have used 2D and 3D imagery in a creative manner.
I found it quite unique in the effect that the characters in shadow meant that you could not see any subtle expressions or emotions in their face, and this sometimes made it hard to associate or sympathise with them. But on the other hand they were stripped down to the bare minimum and what emotion was present was very sharp.
Ultimately the problem lay in the ending of the film, after the 7th or so story the film simply ends and there is nothing to really tie up the blanket storyline concerning the aspiring filmmakers. This does seem very strange and it leaves everything up in the air without closure, but all things considered it was just as entertaining and enchanting a film as I would expect from Michel Ocelot.
8 notes (via iamrobertshaw2)
I looked at this and nearly started to cry. It’s so whimsical, so magical, so imaginative - and hopeful, and ridiculous, and funny - this movie was my LIFE. Thank you Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli for my childhood.
so righteously enraged to have been ‘rescued’ by criminally abusive white folks so blandly WASPy that they never even HEARD of Miyazaki. wish these images (or anything non-Western/white rly) had been part of my childhood :(
(Source: freecocaine)
17,417 notes (via midnight-water & freecocaine)
With that very personal connection you have with your characters, how do you explain that the main characters in most of your films are young girls?
“That would be far too complicated and lengthy an answer to state here, so I’ll just suffice by saying that it’s because I love women very much.” (laughs)
- Hayao Miyazaki
8,494 notes (via elledy & wednesdaydreams)
The director chortles. “Actually, my producer did that. Although I did go to New York to meet this man, this Harvey Weinstein, and I was bombarded with this aggressive attack, all these demands for cuts.” He smiles. “I defeated him.”
4,591 notes (via analogbrain & oreides)
Holy fucking shit this is gorgeous.
SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS :DDD
holy god this looks amazing
10,969 notes (via lostintrafficlights & rockerfox999)
Just a reminder:
When Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) was travelling on the road with his cousin, Al-Fadl ibn Abbas, a woman stopped him to ask him a question. The woman was very beautiful, and Al-Fadl couldn’t help but stare at her.
Seeing this, Prophet Muhammad reached out his hand and turned his cousin’s face away.
He didn’t tell the woman to cover her face.
He didn’t tell her to change her clothing.
He didn’t tell her that her appearance was too tempting or indecent.
He averted his cousin’s impolite stare.
★ ☆ ✰ the more you know ★ ☆ ✰
101,189 notes (via lostintrafficlights & whishaw)
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