My Trip to Italy's I Castelli
Other Highlights
As is often the case these days, largely as a result of the accessibility and facility of digital tools, there were many imaginative and beautifully executed computer animations without a story line in sight. And, for many animators making narrative films, coming up with an effective denouement remains a perennial problem. However, there were also a number of terrific films both in and out of competition worth mentioning, including Michal Levy's Giant Steps (Israel, 2001), a 3D visualization of John Coltrane's seminal composition; Nicole Hewitt's In Between (Croatia, 2002), a study of the trash of Zagreb that suggested a collaboration between Norman McLaren and Jean-Luc Godard; Cathal Gaffney's Give Up Yer Aul Sins (Ireland, 2001), in which a child's version of a Bible story is given literal form; Reveils (France, 2001) by Julien Duchet, Patricia Magniez and Sébastien Wibaut, which, while a little hokey narratively, displayed a striking visual style; and Leunig — How Democracy Actually Works (Australia, 2001) by Andrew Horne — Your vote does matter. Also, John Dilworth's The Dirty Birdy (1994) is definitely a classic of some kind, although I'd hate to have to defend this position to anyone over the age of four.
Other festival highlights (what makes I Castelli Animati I Castelli Animati) induded:
Luca Raffaelli's spot-on impersonation of the aforementioned Dilworth when the intractable animator didn't show for a screening.
The rendering of the festival logo in flowers on the streets of Genzano, while a brass band played marches by John Philip Sousa.
The sometimes disruptive, but generally endearing, presence of children during many screenings. Arrangements were made for groups of local schoolchildren to attend particular shows, where they would fill half the theater. As one of the organizers explained, it was important to expose them to something other than normal TV fare, and to inspire the next generation of animation enthusiasts.
A special screening (not attended by children) of Buried Treasure (1928), billed as the first pornographic cartoon.
As mentioned above, I Castelli Animati lived up to its reputation of being one of the most welcoming and familial of festivals. The good vibe seemingly was embodied by everyone on the hard-working staff, from artistic director Raffaelli to director of festival organization Emanuela Marrocco, organizers Sabrina Perucca and Anna Castellani, the unfailingly gracious guest-minder, Liz Fairs, and (Special Mention) the inestimable Gang of Six: Elisa Baldazzi, Max Ciotola, Gloria Ducci, Grazia Lerose and Cinzia & Nicola Orizi.
Jon Hofferman, an independent filmmaker, writer and graphic designer, frequently reviews films for Fresh from the Festivals. He is also the creator of the Classical Composers Poster (a unique work of art that makes a wonderful gift for anyone interested in or learning about classical music, available at www.carissimi.com) and a shameless promoter.
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