This 2D, hand-drawn animation by Pixar is a wonderful union of two very disparate characters and how they finally find a common ground for companionship. The film is an exploration of instinctive distrust we often inculcate within ourselves without realising it. This is coupled with an engagement with vulnerability as well as unexpected friendships. Along with it all, the film also gives a glimpse into animal abuse, while effortlessly busting myths about pit bulls being dangerously aggressive. The story is of a kitten and a pit bull, the former extremely apprehensive of the latter in the face of all his attempts for them to be friends. It is finally an act of kindness that brings them together and thus begins a deeply endearing tale of the two overcoming the obstacles in their respective paths. There is fearlessness and trust that the characters find in themselves, aided by each other in the most heartwarming ways. And it is in overcoming these internal hurdles that their true victory lies, suggests the narrative with its conclusion.

Kitbull | Pixar | Short Film of the Day

Ascendant exists in a beautiful, cinematic, unease-inducing world of its own, developing organically, measuring every step, taking in every progression, before truly revealing its intentions to the viewer. A man wanders around in an abandoned greyhound racing track, allowing himself to take in the glories of the past, the grandeur of an age that has passed him by. As he moves from one corner to another, sipping on a drink from a forgotten bottle, looking at portraits of the greats of the racing world, the narrative draws attention to a sense of admiration within him, perhaps even a longing for a space he cannot inhabit any more. 

Additionally, the black and white cinematography, whether a deliberate choice or technical necessity - adds a sense of disconcertment to the film. It heightens your discomfort with a realm where doe-eyed hounds are pitted against each other, their bone structures humanly-altered to turn them into most optimum racing tools for human recreation. 

While the protagonist may have first allowed us a glimpse into his fascination mixed with curiosity for the lost age, it does not take long for all of it to soon turn to horror, shock and disgust. Do not think for one second that you, the viewer, would be distanced from any of these emotions. The film ensures, as a result of its visual prowess and sophistication, that you feel each of them very deeply. In the process, Ascendant becomes a paradigmatic example of powerful storytelling, which when coupled with technical skill, is capable of producing the most notable results.

Ascendant | Short Film of the Day

The film is a wonderful union of a little bit of humor, and a little bit of the absurd, sprinkled with an endearing message about kindness. On the day when the story opens, the protagonist wakes up to find the words “your welcome” imprinted on his forehead in stubbornly dark ink that refuses to budge no matter how hard he tries. 

From nail salons to car washes to his own aggressive scrubbing - nothing really works. Right when he is at the end of his rope, exhausted and given up, something unexpected happens. 

The film thus evidences a sweet tenderness at its core, combined with an unexpected act of endearment, that ties it all together. Its approach remains direct and simple, albeit alongside an experimental tonality to its event progression, ensuring that each sentiment and idea, visual and emotional, employed within the final result is a success.

Your Welcome | Short Film of the Day

The coronavirus pandemic has introduced us to an isolation quite unprecedented in human history. While the adherence to the lockdown has brought with it financial tribulations and all sorts of practical difficulties, another huge hurdle to accompany it is that of the emotional well-being of a people who now find themselves devoid of the safety of a community they might have even taken for granted earlier. Distance bases itself on the same premise, endeavouring to be an exploration of not only the physical distance, an absolute must to combat the novel Covid-19 virus, but also the emotional distance we may find ourselves face to face with. In essence, our quarantine is not simply confined to physical boundaries, but has stretched its limbs to the mental and psychological aspects of our day-to-day lives as well. The film employs a straight narrative to suggest fighting the obstacles with kindness and by the simple act of reaching out to one another. It ties together the experiences of three different households, each dealing with their own set of problems as they grapple with an uncertainty with no end in sight, and finds a way to communicate its point of making their presence felt irrespective of their limited physical freedom. The visuals are sophisticated and smooth, exhibiting skilled camerawork. The film also manages to make efficient use of its limited resources and opportunities as a result of its adherence to the official health guidelines.

Distance | Short Film of the Day

A visual flow of its intentions replaces any verbal exchanges in the film. It portrays its world simply by way of what is happening to the characters, which is silently coupled with the constant presence of the metaphor that the title offers. Cramped, closed indoor spaces are first employed to suggest a sense of oppressive isolation both a man and a woman are separately dealing with. This would serve as a contrast eventually at the film’s conclusion when it presents its primary message to you. 

There is also the attempt to portray how lonely and overwhelming existence can be if your mind chooses to withdraw to its own dark recesses, drowning in its own internal noise. The film presents all of these ideas, while keeping the narrative concise and brisk. Events continue to develop in a fast-paced manner, allowing it to avoid a didactic, overbearing tone. 

Kindness and hope are two sentiments one would like to see in a film that deals with a dark subject matter of this kind, and it is indeed these that the story offers as the overarching thread that finally takes it home. This, in turn, also allows for the metaphor established in the title, to attain articulation in a simple, but complete manner.

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