Nine Nation Animation presents Kajsa Næss' Deconstruction Workers and other animated short films from the festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Annecy & Clermont-Ferrand. At various locations in the US through June 4th.
In Kajsa Næss' short films, two construction workers have a serious discussion about life adn existensial question. They keep on building while the world around them falls apart. Will they find the answer to one of the most common questions in the western world?
In other stories, a cat and a mouse carry on a dysfunctional relationship in a futuristic landscape. A Chinese monk sets out on foot with a tiger during the Tang dynasty and happens upon the giant Buddhas of Bamiyan. A box of matches succumb, to their detriment, to the appeal of a cigarette. Four people recount their various encounters--triumphant or terrifying, euphoric or down-to-earth--with an unforgettable rite of passage.
“First-rate...a filling multicourse meal for the discerning grownup toon fan.”
- Dennis Harvey, Variety
“A balm for the brain and eyes. Its nine short films embrace enough visual ideas, graphic media, and emotional tones to populate an aesthetic ecosystem…everything an animation package should be.” -
Eric Scigliano, Culture Fiend
“You don't need language to identify with these characters. Between the belly laughs and the moments of wonder, you will understand a basic truth: Fuck love and music--animation is the universal language.” -Paul Constant, The Stranger
“Eerily, poignantly irrational… ” - Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine.com
“Dazzling, challenging and heartening all at once...the range of styles is astounding...breathtaking.” - Tom Long, The Detroit News
Watch trailers and get more info at www.worldaccordingtoshorts.com
Program:
April 15-21 Coolidge Corner, Brookline, MA
May 6-12 Coral Gables Art Cinema, Coral Gables, FL
May 12-15 Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma City, OK
May 13 River City Cinema, Bangor, ME
June 2-5 Normal Theater, Normal, IL
June 3-4 Northwest Film Center, Portland Museum of Art, Portland, OR
Kajsa Næss (b. 1970) is a director and animator. On completing her animation education at Volda University College in 1996, she established Mikrofilm AS together with Lise Fearnley. For over ten years, the production company has been making short films which have been screened at festivals at home and abroad and have won a series of awards, incuding an Oscar. Kajsa Næss has made animated short films, music videos and commercial films.