Cinema Wednesdays - Loris S. Musumeci
«What if we were just a tribe of rabbit hunters?»
In the Stone Age, Dug lives in the valley with his tribe. This young boy has energy to spare and ambition to spare. His tribe, in fact, lives happily, content to hunt rabbits. Without scorning it, Dug dreams of hunting mammoths and ponders the exploits of his ancestors, contemplating the frescoes in the caves.
One day, panic in the valley. Mammoths do arrive, but they're covered in armor. The anachronistic conquistadors arrive from the Bronze Age to exploit the pristine environment in which Dug and his people live. As they take refuge in the «bad earth» surrounding the valley, the young caveman is taken prisoner. Following a negotiation set up with the governor, the tribe must face the prestigious Real Bronzio soccer team. If they win, the valley will be returned to them; if they lose, their members will be enslaved in the mines.
Visit clay-animation and its legacy
Nick Park is now the undisputed master of animated cartoons in clay-animation. After the history Chicken Run, the famous Wallace and Gromit and the touching Shaun the sheep, the film, The director's fidelity to the Aardman Animations style is unmistakable. His plasticine characters and cardboard sets have gained in charm over the years. Even back then, this trademark was appreciated; now, in the age of digital omnipotence, it's a source of fascination.
For the titanic work involved, of course, but also for the simple result on screen. The images are beautiful; to children, they appear reassuring and gentle. In keeping with this artistic heritage, Claude Barras enjoyed resounding success in 2016 with My life as a zucchini. The cartoon, telling the story of an orphan in search of happiness, appealed to young and old alike, as the serious subject was brought to life with modeling clay.
A cartoon for children
About Cro Man, Park's other works were more socially and philosophically thought-provoking. Whereas his other works were more socially and philosophically thought-provoking, the new Park confines itself to basic morality. We must respect other peoples and cultures; we can defeat the enemy together, not alone; courage is a virtue to be cultivated; money is a good servant, but a bad master. So, for the adult viewer, there's no great revelation here.
The child, on the other hand, if put aside for the sake of humor british, will recognize Dug as a role model. He won't understand the connivances that make the corrupt governor a Sepp Blatter, with his Germanic accent, and the one that makes the vigilante queen called Oofeefa. However, he'll see how the governor in question is a villain because he's in love with money - or bronze, rather - and how the Dug tribe is happy because it's united. The filmmaking technique is childish, as is its approach to the subject, and that's no problem; everyone is entitled to their own cinema.
«They may play better than we do, but we have something they don't: unity.»
Write to the author : loris.musumeci@leregardlibre.com
Photo credit: © Impuls Pictures
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