Tribeca Film Festival: Animated Shorts Curated By Whoopi Goldberg

I have officially decided that the Animated Shorts at the Tribeca Film Festival will forever be my yearly tradition. Both this year and last, the Animated Shorts Press Screening was held on Sunday morning, in my eyes becoming the adult version of Sunday morning cartoons. While Pixar has a reputation for showing their short animated films before their latest full-length feature, many of these will not have the chance to shine outside of a festival in that kind of a setting – but they should be.

They are humorous, touching, musical and informative – eye pleasing masterpieces that are an artwork to behold.

Brooklyn Breeze (Alex Budovsky)

Brooklyn Breeze, by director Alex Budovsky, is an upbeat visual showcase of the least known or seen sights in Brooklyn, NY. With dancing water tanks, cranes and boats, viewers are taken on an upbeat tour of Brooklyn through the eyes of pride. With animation set to the tune of Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra, Brooklyn Breeze will make you want to jump out of your seat and move.

With the music and animation combined, everything was on point, each beat of the music synching with the beat of Brooklyn, its heart and soul front and center. Reminding viewers they are New York, the NYC skyline remains constantly visible, as well as a viewpoint from this borough of the city. With large, simple and precise graphics, there was so much to take in, from background, to foreground, from color to rhythm. Each dancing icon encompassed the industrial and every day view of Brooklyn. By the end of Brooklyn Breeze, you will feel as though you have felt the syncopated and rhythmic beat that is Brooklyn, NY.

Late Afternoon (Louise Bagnall)

Two years in a row now there has been an animated short story that was so moving, it brought me to tears. Last year, it was Curpigeon and Dear Basketball. This year would be no different, with two animated shorts having the same effect on me. Late Afternoon from director and screenwriter Louise Bagnall was one of them.

Opening with an old woman addressing what appears to be her nurse who has brought her afternoon tea, viewers will immediately realize that Emily (Fionnula Flanagan) is suffering from Alzheimers. Lost in her own mind, we join her on her path of rediscovery. Through memories and items throughout the home, we learn of Emily’s life – childhood, marriage and motherhood – heartbreaking as we see her internal struggle finding her memories and herself, visuals of her swimming through the void of emptiness filling the screen and our hearts. With each piece to the puzzle put back into place, Emily finds a new peace and remembers an old truth.

While heartbreaking, it is amazing how much emotion and message can be conveyed in a short film. Right from the very beginning of this animated short, it was silently made clear Emily’s condition. Bagnall wastes no time setting the parameters of her animated short, giving Emily something to break out of as she pulls her memories back to herself. Small items around her are the keys to her memory, lunging her closer to remembering who she is, as well as who the people around her are.

It is not surprising Late Afternoon was awarded Best Animated Short of the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. It was refreshing and comforting to see the care and gentle touch that was given to the film and the subject matter it presented. It was sweet, giving hope to those who suffer or watch a loved one suffer, yet mindful of the challenges faced every day.

The History of White People in America 

The History of White People in America was a mesmerizing and very Hamilton-esque animated short. Brought to life through a collaboration by a team of animators, musicians and filmmakers, The History of White People in America presents a new history and a new look at the creation of racism in America, with its roots buried deep in political agendas.

With animation resembling historical recounts in Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, The History of White People in America rhythmically dives into the retelling of Jamestown, Virginia, 100 years before the revolution. Africans were forced to America, while Irish and European immigrants were lured over with empty promises of success when their time as indentured servants came to an end. As the time, you were only categorized by religions, country and name. There was no attention to color, and marriage, friendships and families were all intermingled.

Tired of the lack of success promised to them, as well as the heavy tax and rule by Sir William Berkeley, the poor, made up a individuals of various religions, skin types and origin, banded together to bring down the tyranny of Jamestown and take land from the natives they could finally call their own. The rebellion was a short lived success as British forces, both land and sea, snuffed out the rebellion. Hanged and punished together, this would be the last moment race did not divide. Determined to never allow the poor to unite, the word White is first used in law banning marriage between blacks and whites and permanently stamping slavery into American history. Fear of death for themselves, whites would now turn on their brothers, blacks sold into slavery and betrayed by those they once fought beside.

This was a highly impactful animated short, with a beautifully structured balance between song and narrative. Where many find this as the starting point as America’s battle for independence, I personally had never heard of it as the start of racism in America. It was interesting to hear racism’s roots as a political agenda and I know I will never think back to the stories of Jamestown the same way again.

Two Balloons (Mark C. Smith)

Two Balloons from director and screenwriter Mark C. Smith was honestly the cutest animated film showcased at the Tribeca Film Festival this year. Utilizing stop motion, it was a love story animated over a gorgeous background – it was as though I was watching an animated classical painting. I was able to catch a second screening of this short, and found myself even more amazed at the quality the second time around.

Like two star crossed lovers in the sky, a pair of lemurs soar in their air balloons, each making their way over the ocean in seclusion. When they catch sight of one another, they send messages across the void between them utilizing the friendship with a small bird. Navigating the balloons closer to one another, they begin to close the abyss of loneliness between them. But love is not without its challenges, and these two navigators may find that to be with one another, they may have to pay the ultimate price.

One of the things I was most mesmerized with Two Balloon‘s animation were the tails of the lemurs. I admit, it is a weird thing to be fascinated by as there is an entire film going on, but the beauty and delicate attention to detail in the movement and texture of the tails really brought the animation to a whole new level.

There is no dialogue in Two Balloons, only an incredible score from Peter Broderick to heighten the emotions and reactions of each stop motion character. It was impressive that even the color choices from cinematographer Reijean Heringlake matched the tone of the music, caressing this love story and heightening the danger between them. This was a true example of a moving work of art.

Surpresa (Paulo Patício)

Surpresa from director and screenwriter Paulo Patício was an interesting idea for an animated short story. The entire dialogue of the film is a recording of a mother and her daughter conversing about the little girl’s kidney cancer. The animation that follows the story was created to enhance, and at times personify, what the mother and daughter are talking about.

The animation at times is child like, keeping the innocence of the daughter Alice, yet at times is more professional adhering to the adult like situations this young child is talking about and experiencing. It created a beautiful contrast for the character it was bringing to life on screen between what she is and what she thinks about.

The subject matter of childhood cancer was heart breaking yet hopeful. The child speaking with heir mother talks of a time when they spent all their time in hospitals, but now with her new kidney she is back home. It is crushing to think of a child fighting for their life when they have no yet lived one, yet through Surpresa, there is the hope that these children can overcome – including this young girl.

My only complaint were the subtitles translating for the Spanish conversation between mother and daughter. With the white canvas background, It was heard to read the light text making it a bit difficult to understand what was being spoken between the two. With all of that aside though, this was really a sadly beautiful film.

The Velvet Underground Played at My High School (Anthony Jannelli & Robert Pietri)

Imagine seeing one of the most influential bands in rock history the night of their first gig, the opening act for The Myddle Class. Now imagine if you will, their sound and music style was so ground breaking and experimental that it was unwelcome and shunned by participates, many audience members retreating to the lobby for the entire opening act. This is the basis of directors Anthony Jannelli and Robert Pietri animated short film The Velvet Underground Played at My High School.

Based on a true first hand account from Anthony Jannelli, this animated short recounts a young man’s anticipation for The Myddle Class’s show to be held at his high school. Yet, as the opening act The Velvet Underground takes the stage and their unique sound begins to play, he discovers a new world of music, as well as witnessing the horror and disgust of other audience members who swiftly leave the auditorium. While their set only consisted of three songs, our narrator is mesmerized, entranced with the new sound this band was delivering. Little did he know at the time what he had discovered, or what he was truly witnessing.

Even if you are unaware who the band is, this clever animated short succeeds in placing you into the auditorium. You get the chaotic feeling of nausea as the flashing graffiti style mimics the disgusted reactions of those around our narrator. At the same time, you also feel as the narrator, amazed and bewildered at the entrancing music you are hearing for the first time, followed by the confusion of why everyone has left. The Velvet Underground Played at My High School also succeeds in representing not just the music ahead of its time, but also the fans who appreciated it.

Fire in Cardboard City (Phil Brough)

There is no other way to describe Fire in Cardboard City from director Phil Brough but hilarious. It was the perfect concept for a short film and an interesting take on action through an animated form. When the entire animated shorts showcase concluded, this was one of the films most of the audience members were talking about. Jam packed with humor, action and a surprise twist ending you could never predict, Fire in Card Board City was one of the hottest shorts the festival had to offer.

Following an intense high speed chase, a fire breaks out when the get away car looses control, destroying everything in its path. As the fire department races into action, they try desperately to put the fire out, though naturally even their blue drawn on water is made of cardboard. As the water catches on fire and it begins to spread to near by buildings, the film swiftly crescendos into a blazing inferno threatening every citizen – even a small cat. With the odds stacked against the city, hope still remains for a miracle.

This really was the funniest of the showcase. When you see the surprise ending (which I do not want to spoil), every decision that went into making this film was ingenious and the medium chosen was the only one that would have worked. Humor comes out of unexpected situations and when you think all is lost – hope can look like a sequel.

Bao (Domee Shi)

This was the final film of the animated showcase and the second one of the set to bring tears to my eyes. A Disney Pixar short from director Domee Shi, Bao is the story of a Chinese mother struggling with empty nesting syndrome. Where some mothers cope by adopting a puppy or a kitten, this mother finds a second chance at motherhood when one of her homemade dumplings comes to life. As her little dumpling continues to grow, so does the inevitable pain of knowing that she will once again have to let him go.

Bao was a classic display of Pixar goodness. There was heart and soul with its story, coupled with the unmistakable beauty of Pixar animation. Bao had me thinking back to my mother, specifically the first Christmas all her empty nesters were unable to fly home for Christmas. While understanding that life and holidays were now different, the children grown and answering to new responsibilities, it was sad knowing my mother would be experiencing this first – an empty nesting moment I strongly believe was a driving force in the new puppy she adopted some weeks later that is constantly referred to as my sister.

Watching Bao, I found myself longing to hug this mother and comfort her, the similarities between animation and real life pulling at the heartstrings. It also made me long for my mother, to call her, even if only just to check in. Out of all the films included in this set, this one hit the closest and was the most relatable of the bunch.

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, it’s a timely reminder that a mother’s love is endless and just because we leave them to start our lives does not mean we should forget them.