Eighth Stop: Speaking with Animation

For this assignment, I chose a clip that spoke to me much more than any other animation I have ever watched, since it is close to home for me - the trailer of the Israeli animated documentary film “Waltz with Bashir” (2008), directed by Ari Folman. The movie depicts Folman in his search of his lost memories from the 1982 Lebanon War, and as an Israeli, it was very easy for me to relate to this exquisite film that was created in flash.
This film is the perfect example of a piece that uses animation in a way that is unique - making it intriguing, capturing and mezmerizing all at the same time. It is the first animation I’ve seen that is used to tell a true story, and a very dark one. Even though the movie is animated, you can’t escape the fact the this is someone’s reality.
The reason I chose to write about the trailer and not other clips of the movie, is because, for me, it is very powerful and easier to connect with as a first time viewer (such as yourselves).
It was created with a unique style invented by Yoni Goodman at the Bridgit Folman Film Gang studio in Israel. Though it was confused with an animation style that uses drawings over live footage, it is actually a combination of Adobe Flash cutouts and classic animation.
Right off the start, we see a somewhat scary and frightning shot of a dog chasing us, the viewers, and a conversation between the main characters of the movie that is followed by several scenes of flashbacks. All of those are connected not only by the narrative, but also by the visual style attributed to them. The use of dark hues is very dominant and it helps create an overall somber feel to the movie. Another important aspect of the film is the use of 3D technologies, which brings life and realness to the characters. This is crucial since it helps connect the audience with the story, which otherwise will be less accessible as it is an animation. It is a surprising piece that grabs you when you are least ready for it, making you face the truth, with no other option.
In my mind, animation has always been associated with cartoons and fairy tales. However, this animation is no fairy tale. It is as real as it gets, trust me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKlr_oK8cgo