Looking again at how animation can be used as a tool to tackle difficult or sensitive issues, I was urged to watch this animated documentary by David Aronowitsch that discusses the incredibly difficult topic of human slavery and trafficking that still exists in our world. The animated element of this documentary is useful on so many levels, the first of which I considered as a way of protecting the identities of the vulnerable children being interviewed about their experiences of slavery. The human element and sense that these are true stories isn't lost in the animated form though, as the discussions of sound tech at the start and the various little coughs from the younger girl and accompanying camera flips to her face when these occur gives a sense of place, as though you are present in the room as the viewer.
It seems as though the technique for editing this film (digitally painted rotoscoping?) gives the documentary credibility and authenticity, as every subtle gesture and look is captured, giving it a very 'real' quality despite the screen-print stylisation of the characters. There is also a sense of realism achieved in a dream-like abstraction of the cutaway scenes in the stories told by the children; these scenes have a very illustrated feel to them, which I think adds weight and realism when you are brought back to the interview room.
All in all, this is a very sensitive and thoughtful animation, but I think for my own work, I would prefer to use a less digitised, sleek format. I thought that the more illustrative, abstract sequences were very captivating; although the idea of a framework in a slightly different, more defined animated style is interesting.
https://vimeo.com/58632132 - Slaves - an animated documentary.
No comments:
Post a Comment