Humanity is currently facing tough challenges of a global and personal scale - a devastating pandemic that brought life around the world to a grinding halt, ongoing political conflicts and wars, the effects of climate change, growing mental health issues all around the world as well as the encroachment of artificial intelligence. The annual Cartoons Underground event, SE Asia’s top Indie Animation Festival held in Singapore, aims to offer fun and hope to its audience as they navigate these growing concerns.
“There isn’t an elephant in any room anywhere that can’t be improved by being coloured pink and given a speech bubble,” says festival co-founder Vicky Chen. Chen began the community-driven Cartoons Underground in 2012 together with Patrick Smith, Director of MTV Daria.
“We are living through turbulent, challenging times as individuals and as a society. It’s a time of change and while change is inevitable it’s ultimately how we respond and adapt to it that defines us. And I hope that watching these films will help our audience to make sense of these challenges,” adds Festival Director, Jerrold Chong.
The 12th edition of Cartoons Underground will feature a screening of 15 films, specially selected by Chong from more than 1,500 submissions from over 100 countries. This is a record number of submissions received by the festival, indicating its growing reputation within the animation industry and its audiences.
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| Pig by Jorn Leeuwerink |
The handpicked animation shorts in this year's festival hopes to offer audiences a chance to reflect on these issues and alleviate some of our anxieties. Some of these brilliant films that you can catch at the limited screening are:
Pig by Jorn Leeuwerink (Netherlands) - an allegorical piece about a big group of animals making itself dependent on a power grid, hooked onto the socket-shaped snout of a single sleeping pig...
Two Gracious Uncles Smooched to the Beat by Jon Dunleavy (United Kingdom) - very current topic on how the artist has to face his fears concerning AI and capitalism
The Square City by Ruth Lam, On Wa Chow, Ka Lok Liu (Hong Kong) - a film capturing the claustrophobia of a cramped Hong Kong neighbourhood, and yet, imagination survives
You can also enjoy a few student-made animation films which showcase the high quality of these artistic endeavours, like
In His Mercy (In Seiner Gnade) by Christoph Büttner (Germany) - a convicted criminal battles with his mental faculties the day before his execution. This film triumphed at festivals all around the world including Student Academy Awards - Semi Finalist, YUGO BAFTA Student Awards - Shortlist, ITFS - InternaMonales Trickfilm Festival Stuegart, Animafest Zagreb, Anim'est Bucharest, Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and many more
Cloudy by NTU students Joshua Pereira, Renee Teoh, Ryan Lee (Singapore) - a beautiful animation about communication and full of heart
Goodbye Old Fish by Cheu Li Qing Grace, Ben Tan Kai Xiang (Singapore) - as two old men fish by the jetty, they begin to remember their kampong days.
“Cartoons Underground aims for both catharsis and reflection. It’s a warm but unflinching hug in cartoon form!” says Vicky Chen.
So, if you are in need of some positivity and comfort, grab a ticket to the screening at The Projector's website - https://theprojector.sg/films-and-events/cartoons-underground. Red Dot Diva will be at there for her dose of creative imagination, optimism and reassurance. Hope to see you there!
Date: 25 November 2023 (Saturday)
Times: 7:30 PM
Run Time: 1 hr 36 min
Venue: The Projector @ Golden Mile
Admission: Ticket prices range from Standard tickets at $18 each.
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