This short was nominated for an Academy Award and, but for the fact that Balance was eligible in the same year, it probably would have won. It did win a BAFTA for Animated Short. I guess if I were to try and sum up an 18 minute short in one word, it would be perspective. It largely depends on how you look at something that determines how you react to a situation. This short examines different people and their reaction to the same surroundings and events. It's by turns humorous and quietly thoughtful in doing this examination. This was included on Spike and Mike's Festival of Animation, which makes this a great tape to grab, if you can find it, all by itself. A marvelous piece, without a doubt. Most Highly Recommended.
3 Reviews
A lovely examination of how different groups deal with the same space
acmelita9 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
The story takes place over three days and focuses on how three groups of people (farmers, campers and hunters) use the same countryside in different ways.
The first day introduces the farmer characters (Howick , Hazel and the farm hand, Hugh) and shows a typical day at the farm. The animals have to be fed continuously, watered, milked and protected. A huge, sleepy bear makes a half hearted attempt to catch one of the sheep, but is shooed away. At the end of this first day, a problem has emerged the farm pump isn't working; there isn't any water in the well.
The second day introduces the camper characters, who park their car on a nearby hill, pitch their tent, and start photographing the farm and the farmers.
The third day introduces the hunter characters, who will hunt anything that moves, even individual bees. During this final day, a storm builds up and the campers and hunters manage to goad the huge bear into chasing them back towards the farm. The storm breaks and all the characters come together, seeking shelter in the farmhouse. At the end of the storm the groups split up again, probably none the wiser from their experience, the farmers well has been filled with water and everything returns to normal.
Three years in the making, this film gently pulls the viewer into its world, even though there is no dialogue and it relies purely on music and sound effects to complement the cel animation. It is currently available at www.Filmpporium.com. The $5 DVD also includes the exercise in frustration (for a rodent) short "Gopher Broke" and Bill Plympton's unlikely romance "The Fan and the Flower".
The first day introduces the farmer characters (Howick , Hazel and the farm hand, Hugh) and shows a typical day at the farm. The animals have to be fed continuously, watered, milked and protected. A huge, sleepy bear makes a half hearted attempt to catch one of the sheep, but is shooed away. At the end of this first day, a problem has emerged the farm pump isn't working; there isn't any water in the well.
The second day introduces the camper characters, who park their car on a nearby hill, pitch their tent, and start photographing the farm and the farmers.
The third day introduces the hunter characters, who will hunt anything that moves, even individual bees. During this final day, a storm builds up and the campers and hunters manage to goad the huge bear into chasing them back towards the farm. The storm breaks and all the characters come together, seeking shelter in the farmhouse. At the end of the storm the groups split up again, probably none the wiser from their experience, the farmers well has been filled with water and everything returns to normal.
Three years in the making, this film gently pulls the viewer into its world, even though there is no dialogue and it relies purely on music and sound effects to complement the cel animation. It is currently available at www.Filmpporium.com. The $5 DVD also includes the exercise in frustration (for a rodent) short "Gopher Broke" and Bill Plympton's unlikely romance "The Fan and the Flower".
The 1990 Oscars--and yet another vapid entry for Best Animated Short!
planktonrules11 February 2008
I love short films and especially short animation. I have recently watched dozens of winners and nominees for the Oscar for Best Animated Short and was shocked when I looked at 1990's nominees. They were absolutely horrid compared to the years before or sense and I seriously doubt if THE HILL FARM would have been nominated any other recent year--it was just so ordinary. Judging by the fact that BALANCE was the winner in 1990, it was a very, very bad year.
THE HILL FARM has decent animation, but its style isn't compelling enough to merit a lot of attention. Additionally, the cartoon itself just isn't all that special one way or another.
Do yourself a favor--watch more short animation films--just NOT those from 1989--or at least not those nominated.
By the way, KNICK KNACK from Pixar also came out in 1989--so where is this great film among all the nominees?!
THE HILL FARM has decent animation, but its style isn't compelling enough to merit a lot of attention. Additionally, the cartoon itself just isn't all that special one way or another.
Do yourself a favor--watch more short animation films--just NOT those from 1989--or at least not those nominated.
By the way, KNICK KNACK from Pixar also came out in 1989--so where is this great film among all the nominees?!
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