May 17, 2005
I saw a short film this morning that was reinvigorating in every possible way; it was called Pan With Us, it was directed by a man named David Russo, and it can be seen on the big screen as part of this year's installment of The Animation Show, of which it is certainly, without a doubt, the highlight. In fact, although it's technically not a 2005 movie, I think it's best film I've seen so far this year.
I don't think any description of the film could due it justice; it is purely filmic, aside from the fact that it is based on a reading of the titular poem by Robert Frost. Comparatively, it has some similarities to the best of Michel Gondry's short form work, but it is a great deal more...staggering. It's four minutes long, and took over a year to make, and I know that doesn't really say anything about it, but just think about that for a moment while I hop pararaphs so as to avoid having to describe it further.
It's certainly been seen before; it won well-deserved prizes at Sundance and SXSW in 2003. Russo was named one of Filmmaker's 25 New Faces Of Independent Film that same year. The most information I found on him was in this article from last fall, in which he claims he's definitely not a genius. I'll take his word for it, and just apply that adjective (and its relatives) to this film.
So: go see The Animation Show, which is full of many good shorts, a few great shorts, and then this.
Posted by David Lowery at May 17, 2005 03:06 AM