A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
German and German-language Films
Karim Eich and Dirk Wachsmuth, “Monju Hunters of Sofugan Island” (2017) An unexpectedly deep and melancholy short film, this sci-fi short is set in a not…
French and French-language Films
Alex Chauvet, Anna Le Danois, Quentin Foulon, Fabien Glasse, Juliette Jean, Julie Narat, “Résistance” (2016) Made by student animators, this short video plays like a parable…
Darkus Marque, “Alien Infinity” (2015) Made during his spare time between January and August 2015, “Alien Infinity” from graphic designer (and aspiring film-maker at the time)…
Martin Rosen, John Hubley, “Watership Down” (1978) A vivid and beautifully presented tale, this British film portrays what might be a foundation myth of an imaginary…
Sanae Yamamoto, “Senga Tsubo” (1925) Said to be the first animated film commission by the Ministry of Education in Japan back in 1925, this 16-minute short…
Sanae Yamamoto, “Kyoiku senga: Ubasuteyama” (1925) A restored animation, “Ubasuteyama” is based on a traditional Japanese folk-tale as so many animated films made in Japan in…
Kenzo Masaoka, “Tora-chan no Makan Mushi” (1950) In the last cartoon to feature Tora-chan (Little Tiger) and his friend Miike-chan, the two kittens have grown up…
Kenzo Masaoka, “Tora-chan to Hanayome” (1948) The last three animated films made by Kenzo Masaoka revolved around the adventures of the kitten Tora-chan (Little Tiger). The…
Kenzo Masaoka, “Suteneko Tora-chan” (1947) A charming film about an orphaned kitten found and adopted by a family of cats, “Suteneko Tora-chan” addresses some of the…
Noburo Ofuji, “The Bear Dodger” (1948) Made in 1948 but with characters drawn in a much older early-1930s style, this animated short has a moral behind…