A One Mann’s Movies review of the nominations for the BAFTA “British Short Film Animation” Category.
I’ve not done separate reviews for these BAFTA Short Animation nominees but am including short reviews for them in this one post.
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse.
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
A lost boy is helped with guidance and advice from the animals he meets along the way in a snowy landscape.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: PG-TV. (This is not rated by the BBFC, but I think this would suit adults and children of all ages. There are a few moments of mild threat, but quickly resolved).
Talent:
Starring: Jude Coward Nicoll, Tom Hollander, Idris Elba, Gabriel Byrne.
Directed by: Peter Baynton & Charlie Mackesy.
Written by: Charlie Mackesy & Jon Croker. ).(Based on the book by Charlie Mackesy.)
“The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse” Review:
An utterly delightful half-hour animation, done in a similar style (graphically) to “The Snowman”. This deserves to be a similar Christmas classic. The main lines are between the boy (Jude Coward Nicoll) and the cake-obsessed mole (Tom Hollander), but Idris Elba and Gabriel Byrne have a few lines too. The artwork of the countryside the characters (by Charles Mackesy) is just superb. Moreover, the story is chock full of really deep and positive mental health messages. Two of my favourites:
- “What do your want to be when you grow up?” asks the mole. “Kind” replies the boy.
- “Doing nothing with friends is never doing nothing, is it?”
- “What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said” asks the boy. “Help” replies the mole.
Also worthy of note is a wonderful score by the talented Isobel Waller-Bridge.
Is it a bit too sickly sweet with its philosophy of life sometimes? Yes, perhaps, but more talk about mental health is better than less in my book.
This was on the BBC over Christmas and is available to stream for free (for UK viewers) on BBC iPlayer. Very much recommended. It’s up for both the BAFTA and Oscar awards, which is fabulous.
Trailer for “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbdem4g_LEc .
Your Mountain is Waiting
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
A disillusioned young woman ignores all of nature around her in the city, but after taking a fantasy journey in her mind she finds peace and self-discovery.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (But this would be for general viewing).
Talent:
Directed by: Hannah Jacobs.
Written by: Harriet Gillian.
“Your Mountain is Waiting” Review:
At just 8 minutes long, this is the shortest of the BAFTA nominated short films. The animation style is more ‘blocky’ than the other nominees, but there is a lot of creativity in the way the story is unfolded.
I really enjoyed the start of the film, but – to be honest – when the girl meets a fox and goes on a “Magical Mystery Tour” style fantasy adventure, my interest waned somewhat. I can see that it’s all very clever, and the creators are clearly talented art students, but this didn’t totally grab me and hold me there.
But what do I know? Those BAFTA academy members who do the voting are experts in this field, and I am not!
By the way, at one point we find ourselves in a snowy landscape with a fox: is this a pre-requisite for a BAFTA nomination this year? Does the Academy have some sort of frozen vulpine fetish thing going on?
Trailer for “Your Mountain is Waiting”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtXsdD6T-uA
and the whole film is (at the time of writing) available to watch on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ony0PG14Szg .
Middle Watch
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
During the Second-World War, a naval seaman struggles to separate his fears and reality in dangerous waters.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (But this would be for general viewing).
Talent:
Directed by: John Stevenson & Aiesha Penwarden.
Written by: John Stevenson.
“Middle Watch” Review:
This is a marvellously put together 12 minute animation, based (as the end titles revealed) on the contents of a letter of a real-life sailor doing this ‘graveyard’ shift. The animation is a pure work of art. The sea is done like a fractal plane of pyramids, but it is incredibly effective. The visuals are impressive but helped considerably by a well-suited score by a group called “Clarinet Factory”.
A teriffic watch, which will hopefully be made more freely available for all to enjoy. (My thanks to producer Giles Healy for sending me a screener). Note that the Falmouth University web site suggests that there may be online screenings of the film on the BAFTA YouTube channel for a limited period, Monday 13 to Monday 27 February 2023.
Hats off to the students of Bournemouth Arts University and Falmouth University for their involvement in the project!
Trailer for “Middle Watch”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj8t9mBpQJE .
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Who will Win the British Short Animation BAFTA?
The jugganaut here is “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse” with its broad circulation (on the BBC over Christmas) and its all star cast. So, I think this will win the BAFTA.
But my personal choice would be the underdog “Middle Watch”: not just because it IS the underdog, but because it has such style and artistry.
