Animation is reflexively thought of as something for children but as shown here it can be squarely for adults or even something the crosses the age gap.
The films presented range from the silly and cute to stones that touch on more serious topics.
Enjoy!
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Donks
- Directed by Felix Colgrave
- February 2, 2023
I wish I could provide a plot summary, but I can’t. There is no discernable story really. What we get here is instead something that borders on stream of consciousness. And that is just fine.
For some background, the title reportedly comes from a box of random plastic items the director’s child has. He calls them “gonks” which was pronounced by his then-2-year-old as “donks.”
Donks is a cool mix of images. It’s very playful. It could all be nightmarish and disturbing, but it never goes to that. It stays enjoyable. There’s a childlike quality in this. And the sound design is just fantastic. It elevates the strangeness and playfulness of this short presentation.
I say take a few moments out to watch Donks on YouTube. You will not be disappointed.
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Timber
- Directed by Nils Hedinger
- February 15, 2015
A group of logs are about to freeze to death but soon realize they are the source of their survival. Then things get heated.
If you go into Timber expecting something cute you will be disappointed. It starts kinda cute but once the first log breaks off a few random twigs it gets dark very dark. If you think of these logs as people it is analogous to those survival stories where the group starts disintegrating the moment the problem starts.
In the title on YouTube it says Timber is about solidarity but it actually seems about a lack of solidarity. The group prays on the old and weak before eventually destroying itself. That is the opposite of solidarity. This dark element is in contrast to the cute animation of the film making it all jarring.
Timber is a short film that has something to say. Despite appearances this is most certainly for adults only.
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Wedding Cake
- Directed by Viola Baier
- October 18, 2019
A wedding cake couple tries to make the perfect life together atop the event’s dessert.
Wedding Cake is an interesting piece of animation that looks like it should be much more shallow than what it is. I love the smooth animation and simple designs in a really serious story whose point ultimately is that when two people get together they should agree on the important things or be able to just work stuff out.
There are clear differences in what this cake topper couple seek out of their union. They have two different views of how their spouse and life together SHOULD be yet neither is quite like that. There is an ebb and flow here with no middle ground or general agreement ever emerging between the two. Neither is truly okay with the situation. In a rather sweet, animated form Wedding Cake shows how a couple not being on the same page as finances and children can cause things to quickly devolve.
There is very little dialogue with the actual narrative being conveyed through character actions making this accessible to anybody. What language there is appears to be French, but it is so brief and unimportant that nothing is affected.
I’ve seen in the comments section some people concerned the cake couple narrative might parallel that of the actual couple, but I think the big giveaway that such a thing is not the case is that when the second groom husband spills wine on the bride she takes in stride and gives him a big kiss rather than becoming irritated at it like the cake topper wife did.
Wedding Cake is a sweet looking bit of animation that touches on important issues that we all need to think about in relationships. It will entertain and by the time you reach the end leave you with something to think about. You will enjoy it!
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Here I took a look at three very different pieces of animation. Each had something to offer either as entertainment or as a discussion of more serious topics. Ultimately though they demonstrate the versatility of animation as well as the variety of animated offerings on YouTube.
Warren Watched A Movie 