Welcome to LIAF’s first
annual Studio Focus. This is the chance to drop in and visit a
single studio that is doing great work. This year, LIAF was beguiled
by the recent work of Estonia’s puppetfilm studio ‘Nukufilm’
when we visited them earlier in the year. The deal was sealed
amongst cramped workshops filled to the brim with puppets (and
bits of puppets).
Nukufilm is without doubt
one of the finest puppet film studios in the world – and
has been virtually since it was established almost 50 years ago.
Their work is unique and reflects the equally unique nature of
Estonia and its culture – a culture affected by the myriad
paradoxes of long term, but arms length, Soviet rule. This classic
puppet and set design aesthetic weaves and intertwines completely
with the open hearted, avante-garde flavoured irony and neck-deep
surrealist humour which is the hallmark of Estonian animation.
This fine collection of Nukufilm’s
most recent releases (including one we programmed on-site while
watching a not-quite-finished rough cut over the shoulder of the
director) shows the studio is still doing what it has always done
best.
Mait Laas, the renowned Estonian animator, will
be taking part in a discussion after the screening of the Nukufilm
showcase. Mait has been involved in most of the Nukufilm productions
since he joined the studio 13 years ago, has lectured on animation,
organised animation workshops, opened exhibitions with his graphics
and had six books published since 1993.
Mait's visit has been made possible by the Estonian
Embassy.
The Pearlman
Rao Heidmets; 2006, 12’00
An intricately textured pearl-puppet character embarks on an ultimately
fruitless endeavour to protect his nation’s indigenous culture.
Brothers Bearhearts
Riho Unt; 2005, 18’00
A many layered tale of three orphaned bear cubs who travel back
to Russia disguised as circus lions after their initial attempt
to live in Paris as artists fails.
The Institute Of Dreams
Mati Kutt; 2006, 10’00
An utterly entrancing, silkily surrealist flying carpet ride of
a film featuring a squadron of flying dreaming Dali sandmen, an
armed bunny and mysterious footprints in the sand.
Gene+Ratio
Mait Laas; 2005, 12’00
A personal film of an intensely abstract nature designed to spark
each viewer’s imagination and ability to form their own
response.
The Table
Jelena Girlin & Mari-Liis Bassovskaja; 2004, 20’00
An ethereal tour de force which uses a kind of elegant beauty
to depict a surprisingly dark side of femininity.
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©
LIAF09
