films – Page 2 – OZTHOUGHTS

Dystopian Animations – A Pessimistic View Of The World

Whilst many “adult” animations on the internet are funny, sad or strange, not that many are truly dystopian in my experience. However, they are out there to be found if one looks carefully.

So I have hunted around and come across several that can truly be described as dystopian (A dystopia (from the Greek δυσ- and τόπος, alternatively, cacotopia, kakotopia, or simply anti-utopia) is a community or society that is undesirable or frightening).

The first one, called “Slimtime” is a mix of a dystopia and a savage commentary on the ideal of bodily beauty, so it is a double whamy I feel.

The whole thing plays out in a strangely empty feeling factory-like building, where a scrawny man and his monstrously fat wife have gone apparently in order for the wife to lose weight easily, and whilst there is no spoken text, the meaning of the whole thing is all too clear.

And unusually for this type of cartoon, it has a moderately happy ending, as it turns out that his wife is not truly convinced by the fashionable view that fat is ugly. Nor is the husband.

So here is my first offering today for your viewing pleasure – or whatever one takes from such a dystopian view of the world.

https://youtu.be/77Ki-dgZQXg

Not nice, is it?

Now for a film that is totally dystopian and deeply cynical as well.

Here we have what starts out as a simple love story, young shy boy loves girl who is unobtainable, they grow up, life becomes complex for them, and the end is ……

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Surreal Animated Films For Adults

While wandering around in Youtube the other day I found a number of cartoon films made before and during the last World War, that were apparently intended for adults. I don’t mean by this that they were pornographic I hasten to add, but simply not intended for children.

Apart from the fact that they were very well made, unlike the dross that is churned out these days for TV consumption (as opposed to the amazing full length computer generated animated films that studios such as Pixar make), they were all remarkably surreal as well – distinctly odd they are.

To start the ball rolling, here is a somewhat “adult” cartoon that was made in 1932, the very early days of animated films. This one, which has the wonderful name of “in my merry Oldsmobile” is actually about sex, but in a very odd fashion, as you will see. A curious mix of animation and real action as well. Altogether a strange film, but fun nonetheless.

https://youtu.be/–11JyXJtZg

The tone of this film is made clear in the very first frames…

As you will have seen, the world it creates is truly weird, in so many ways. And the characters live in their insane world perfectly happily. Apparently living according to their world’s rules. For example, the way the “hero” doesn’t simply climb through the hole in the door, but has to smash the door down.. and loads of other similar examples of the oddities of their world. An enjoyably silly and totally surreal film.

Another form of adult animated film was made during the war to teach people how to behave in a war situation. No end of equally weird films were made that were intended to use humour to get points of security and military safety across, and obviously were not intended for kids to watch.

This US Army film about the dangers of Booby Traps (replete with jokes about “boobies” of course) gives a good idea of how these films looked. This one seems to star Elmer Fudd of Bugs Bunny fame.

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Odd And Thoughtful Videos

Here are a handful of weird and wonderful animations that I have come across in my wanderings deep in the bowels of Youtube – A habit of mine, you understand.

Some of these animations are peaceful and dreamy, such as the first one, which is basically an animation all about going on an acid trip (LSD), which I came across the other day and fell in love with at once. It has such a gentle and amiable feeling about it, as you will see.

It doesn’t really need anything much being said about it, as it speaks perfectly well for itself. One of those little films that is complete in itself. I have to admit that I really loved the music and sound effects as well, they set the mood so admirably.

This next one however, which reasonably enough (watch it and you will see why I say that) is called Greed, and is a very different kettle of fish. Edgy, aggressive, and frightening, it is a sort of allegory about life. Not a gentle or friendly film at all, but worth watching I feel. And it does have a very obvious moral to it as well……..

See what I mean?

Next I offer you a German film, which is called Creation, and is – obviously – all about the creation of life on our planet, but in a very different way to the normal approach to this process….. As the guy who made the film says:

“The film depicts the creation of the world through playful images that draw parallels with the creative process associated with art. It focuses on the problems and dangers involved. But all’s well that ends well – because we’re at the movies”

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Dark And Disturbing Animations

This time I have selected some very dark animations for your pleasure. One thing that all these animations have in common is that they deal with the more unpleasant or worrisome aspects of our lives. No cheerful mice or penguins doing the Charleston to be found in this lot.

The first one, created by Jonny Lawrence which is called Mothlight deals with a young boy trying to get to sleep, and in the words of Jonny, it is basically a study in light and shade.

Whilst it is a very short film, and nothing nasty happens, it still manages to create an atmosphere that is spooky and laden with the idea that something horrible is about to happen. Quite clever to manage that in a film that only lasts 1 minute and 20 seconds.

Anyhow, here it is, watch it and see what you feel about it.

Next on the list is a very odd film called The Passenger, which was made by Chris Jones. I am not sure quite what to make of this one – it is truly strange, the story line is equally odd. The drawing style seems to be a pretty standard sort of computer rendered animation, and if it wasn’t for the setting ( a dark and gloomy street) one would expect it to be a cheerful little film about a character walking home whilst reading a book – which is exactly what is happening, but then it takes a turn for the worse, and starts to be downright Gothic and alarming…. I shan’t spoil it for you by describing it further, but I would simply say it is very well worth passing some seven minutes in the company of the very odd hero of this little film…. Enjoy it!

And now for a truly weird film, a sort of Cyber Punk (ish) film, which on the surface is about a machine, a sort of robot, wanting to become human, and failing…. On the technical level, this is a truly remarkable film, and one that its maker – Andrew Huang – has every reason to be very proud of.

And on the level of its story, he has succeeded very well also. The motivation of his robot, and its struggles to become human are horribly easy to see and identify with, and its ultimate failure is depressing…

A complex and intriguing film I think you will find, so click away and see what you think of it.

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Superb Animations – And One Sad One

Here are three very different animations for your pleasure. The first one, which is called “The Egyptian Pyramids” gives a very different view of what exactly those odd constructions are actually all about, and in passing demonstrates that the loathing I acquired for camels whilst riding a Bactrian version in the Taclamacan desert a few years ago, was perfectly correct. Horrible creatures.

So, here for your viewing pleasure is one very entertaining cartoon.

Next I have a very odd animation called “Dji: Death Sails”, which rather defies description, but demonstrates the power of determination rather well, also the benefits of strong drink. All I can do with this one is to bung it up here and let you enjoy it for yourselves without going into a deep and profound analysis of the meaning of life, how death fits into our cultural awareness and so on….

Here is what the maker of this video has to say about it…..

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Category: films