Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is. - Oscar Wilde
The Ruffled Crow
Animation, Art, and Other Shiny Things
Tag Archives: NFB
Balablok
May 16, 2019
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Another short from the incomparable National Film Board of Canada and the animation legend Bretislav Pojar.
Bretislav Pojar’s animated short explores the human phenomenon of resorting to violence over reason. […] Winner of the 1973 Grand Prix du Festival for Short Film at the International Film Festival in Cannes.
What On Earth?
April 25, 2019
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This entirely factual documentary comes via the National Film Board of Canada.
This animated short proposes what many earthlings have long feared — that the automobile has inherited the planet. When life on Earth is portrayed as one long, unending conga-line of cars, a crew of extra-terrestrial visitors understandably assume they are the dominant race. While humans, on the other hand, are merely parasites.
Story and animation by Les Drew and Kaj Pindal.
The Underground Movie
April 11, 2019
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A fun little excursion to the earth’s core without having to deal with Doug McClure.
Everyone has wondered what it would be like to dig right through to the other side of the Earth. […] Dubbed “Old Chucknose” and equipped with amazing gadgetry, it bores through every layer of the Earth’s crust and center.
Via the National Film Board of Canada and directed by Les Drew in 1972.
The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin
March 4, 2019
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The classic tale of Cinderella – with penguins.
Yet another wonderful animation from the National Film Board of Canada, and directed by Janet Perlman.
George and Rosemary
February 14, 2019
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For this Valentine’s Day I offer up a wonderful little short film from the National Film Board of Canada about the awkwardness of a crush. It is also a timely reminder that crushes and romance happen at any age.
I love the animations that the NFB looses into the wild, and I love my own Valentine, Mrs Crow, who’s shared my nest for nigh on three decades now. And I am here to tell ya, indeed, romance is not only for the young.
Spinnolio
January 14, 2019
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A fun little vignette from the National Film Board of Canada to start the week off.
A modern day Gepetto sends his son into the world to find success…and Spinnolio does just that. I think we all know a Spinnolio at our workplace.
Animated by John Weldon.
At Home with Mrs Hen
January 2, 2019
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A National Film Board of Canada classic and good short to start the year with. A reminder that sometimes you need to just take a moment out of the fray. Written and animated by Tali
[A] comical tale that pokes fun at motherhood. It depicts the temper tantrums of a child and the efforts a mother makes to set her son on the right path. You don’t need to be a chicken to relate.
Dimanche (Sunday) – Patrick Doyan
December 3, 2018
Posted by on This NFBC short was both an Oscar and Annie selection in 2012 and tells the story of a boy’s attempts to fend off boredom. The grandma’s candy dish resonated particularly with me.
The Big Snit – Richard Condie
January 8, 2013
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I came across this short some years ago on the Cartoon Network show O Canada which was a weekly compilation of animations from the National Film Board of Canada. (a most wonderful institution, imho) Alongside other classics like The Cat Came Back and The Log Driver’s Waltz, The Big Snit is one of those shorts that was an immediate classic.
Richard Condie also animated the fun short The Apprentice.