I got PR on this Doc from one of my tribe.net contacts, having heard about this guy before and pleased to know the film had been made. Being a fan of both buddhism and the DIY punk ethos myself, I see no major problem with combining the two, and thus find some of the message a bit heavy handed and “novice”. Also something about this From Here to Awesome format (’The Auteur’ used the same) seems to really dumb things down for my taste, but none the less, I’ll try to see this film and urge you to do the same. I guess you have to really try to make things accessible in the “modern media overload” landscape, but I say just put it out there and those who are meant to get the message eventually will.

I’ve only recently discovered this pop psychedelic creation of Guy Peellaert, and haven’t seen any of the actual comics yet. (great, another expensive hobby no one needs: collecting vintage European comics…) And sadly, I sense none will add up to be as cool as this animated sequence, a slow load but well worth it! I especially love the lampoon of the three major western religions included.

Wow! What a satisfying film. Great soundtrack; animation with occasional intricate layers, amazing use of negative/positive space constantly, at times simplistic, then lush and detailed at moments that point to a Persian pride. I was unfamiliar with the graphic novel but was completely drawn into the tale: Marjane Satrapi’s story, and a first hand account of the history of Iran over the end of the 20th century. A testimonial of The Individual against varying forces of ideology, repression, unsatisfying relationships, depression, and the rest. No bullshit Hollywood ending either. See a trailer at the main site which is a bit small, or a larger version on IMBD after sitting through an inane commercial - you know, American style… I urge everyone to see this film.

This will be “old hat” to some English druggies and serious electronica fans, but I just saw it for the first time a few months ago and am realizing it may not be as well know among some peers as anticipated. It’s Chris Cunningham’s video for an Aphex Twin song, done in ‘05. *WARNING - it’s twisted and far out. But I would argue also with artistic merit*



Here a link to creepy stills and interviews with Warp and Pitchfork. And the video, also by Cunningham, for Come to Daddy.

So Thanksgiving has come and gone but you still feeling patriotic. Here’s an animated piece made by Vince Collins back in the days when you could get the govt. to fund such projects. Made in 1975 for the coming bicentennial celebration, he made sure to include elements of American hedonism and crass commercialization. Way to stick it to the man! They also don’t make endless noodle jam music like that anymore…

Here’s a link to his myspace page.

No animals were harmed, only slightly annoyed, in the making of this film. Make your own through the site!

David A Anderson directed this amazing animated short, written by Russell Hoban, that ran on BBC4 back in the early 90’s. The embedding has been disabled, but hopefully the title, and general love of animation, will get you to follow the link to watch. It’s a short tale of a psychopathic character that is actually a metaphor for WMD’s and war mania. Rather spooky subject matter, and done in a cool experimental style. Here’s the text. And a link to The Head of Orpheus, a Hoban fansite. Sorry about the lack of visuals here, follow the “animated short” link above!