Saturday 21 March 2015

OUAN505 - Applied Animation - Research/Pre-Production: Waltz with Bashir

OUAN505 - Waltz with Bashir:

This particular animated feature-length film responds really well to the theme of documentary animation. It uses a very sensitive subject and animates and tells a story well in an appropriate manner for the viewers. By animating actual interviews with Iranian war veterans, the director is able to approach a subject from an animated viewpoint. He can recreate many effects and processes that would not be as easy or available with live action.

However, many mistake the film for being rotoscoped when it is actually in fact cleverly made using After Effects cutouts and dark hues to give a realistic aesthetic. The film was heavily praised globally but was not so successful in Iran itself which was unusual yet maybe understandable as so many might not want to revisit the memories of the war and the horrors it brought to Iranian citizens. The film is actually banned in certain countries across the globe, including Lebanon which is featured in the film.

I personally haven't watched all of this film and I do plan to. So far from what I have watched I think it looks and feels fantastic. It approaches documentary animation on a new angle and does it very well. For that time, this technique was very new and practically unseen in feature length animated films. The fact it is so realistic brings it home that the war did have a huge impact on so many lives. You feel part of the film and feel a strong connection with the characters.


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