1952 Directed by Norman McLaren
In this Oscar-winning short film, Norman McLaren employs the principles normally used to put drawings or puppets into motion to animate live actors. The story is a parable about two people who come to blows over the possession of a flower.
Geitones, Les voisins, Szomszédok, Соседи, Kochaj sasiada swego, 隣人, Voisins
An absolutely incredible film from one of Canada's greatest film makers, Norman McLaren. The film operates as a politically charged satire about war (partially inspired by the Korean War, which shares the film's theme of a conflict between "neighbours"). The short is influential in its usage of live-action stop-motion, which has been used countless times since (I most fondly remember the usage of this technique in Tetsuo). The film utilizes perfect symmetry in order to emphasize that the neighbours' fight is both pointless and absurd, and the film doesn't shy away from allowing the neighbours to utterly destroy everything in their path. The film goes to the extent of the two neighbours assault the other's family, and it's pretty shocking…
It's amazing how brilliantly McLaren makes a socio-political commentary against the selfish act of fighting against thy neighbour for the sake of conquests, the owning of resources and the consolidation of power. Also, it is relevant to point out that different points of view (the newspapers in the beginning) should not be an invitation to fundamentalist conflict; rather, the solution lies in the heart of a nation, and every individual is a cell of this system. Applause for the visual style, and for the ideas expressed with no hesitation.
98/100
The visual style of this short is very unique, vibrant, and expressive. And the stop motion here is just the plump, colorful, and juicy cherry on top.
But war is hell. "Neighbours" does an incredible job of showing how, and it does it sporting the core message, "Love your neighbor, meaning, to treat others as you would have them treat you." This short wasn't made too long after the Second World War, and it's apparent just how lingering of an effect the war had on the world, and the art that was produced at the time.
Basically, I'd classify this as something of an essential view. It's unique, it's unconventional, it's well-made, it's got a great message, and most importantly, it's got grown men kicking babies.
is this an allegory of being addicted to drugs? or is it an allegory showing the concept of capitalism?
perhaps both.
Part of Essential Films To Watch
Neighbours does what 120 minute films do in less than 10 minutes. It develops character and theme perfectly, on top of Norman McLaren's impressive visual style. Synecdoche and symbolism drive this film into unchartered territory, providing viewers with a unique, refreshing story about two neighbours who develop a conflict when a flower grows in between their houses. Their feud, shown in progressive measures, is undeniably entertaining in itself - providing audiences with brawls that are equally as unnerving as they are hilarious. The beauty of Neighbours though, is that it doesn't solely analyze these men. Instead, the film, sitting at 8 minutes, is evocative of the entire human population. Despite having such a acute…
The elements of surprise and audacity trick me into laughing at things I should not find funny. As the war (if no peace) escalates between the two men, the fate of the object of their conflict isn't surprising. But the aftermath of it, wherein the men engage in what I would decry as edgy under other circumstances, that is shocking in a benign way. One might argue this is some kind of inappropriate humor, but we've watched these men slide prone across their lawns and make fences appear from thin air. This is not a film engaged with reality, but with the art of stop-motion and its power to warp real people and objects. These men end up flying in…
