Memories in the ''block house''
Hello everyone!
Our group has chosen a short piece of animated film as this week's discussion object.
The name of the film is called "Memories in the Block House"
It lasts for 12:06 minutes, and is the winner of 2009 best short animated film.
You can click the link at the very beginning to watch this film.
After watching it, what do you think makes this film the winner of academy award? Why?
And if you think it is not so good, then what makes you feel disappointed? Why?
I thought the video was well done. Everything kept building on everything else kindof just like the house itself. Great post I really enjoyed the film.
ReplyDelete"Everything kept building on everything else kindof just like the house itself" I like your conclusion on the whole structure and content of this film. But what would be the details that really attracts you?
DeleteI thought the video was a mixture of "Up" meets "Titanic". You had the underwater scenes that developed into flashback memories, just like the beginning of the movie Titanic. Plus you had the storyline of a lost loved one, and a house full of memories the other couldn't let go of. Hence the relationship to the movie Up. I really enjoyed it, and I liked how it drew you in from the beginning with the old man fishing in the middle of his house. It left you baffled and made you want to watch more to figure out what was going on.
ReplyDeleteI like the connection to the movie “Up” with the association between how memories were held on to in the houses both characters lived in. Do you think there was any intended symbolism in the opening with the old man fishing in the middle of his house?
DeleteI thought it was a really good video. I liked the fact that as he kept diving deeper, he had many memories that pertained to every level of the house.
ReplyDeleteThat's true. This plot is interesting, but why is it attractive to you? Could you please tell more specificly?
DeleteI really enjoyed the video. I love Whitney's reference to the Disney movie "Up" because I thought the say thing. All the memories that the man had in the video seemed to be memories that he cherished deeply through his whole life. I also loved the flashbacks of all his memories and how they went along with each level of the brick house.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It is because these was the precious fortune of the old man that he could recall the flashbacks at once when he reached another "box". However, what do you think of the reasons that this film became the winner in 2009? Just interesting flashbacks or something else?
DeleteI really like the video. I love the way it presents the old man's memories. The brick house is like a container of all his precious memories and as he dive deeper, he has gone through his life again. I like the fact that the video uses the house as a memory container because nowadays, people usually think of photos or videos as a way to memories our past.But i think our memory is what defines us and what shape us into who we are now. It is so much more than what appears in photos and videos and deserves more "room" in our heart. So i really like that the video uses house as a metaphor of memories.
ReplyDeleteYes,the unique way of presenting the memories is like a shining spot. We build up ourselves by experiences, and the experiences gradually transfer into memory, which is why we and the objects accompanied with us are the representatives. Is that what you mean? Besides, what do you think of the role that the inner emotion played in the whole story?
Delete‘Memories in the “Block House”’ was an interesting piece that seemed to fall short. The entire video seemed to progress too slowly to really capture my attention. However, one thing throughout the entire video that did capture my attention was the symbolism brought forth by the block house itself. From the base level of the house to the new edition at the top of the house, the entire building seemed to grow smaller. Besides looking at this house as a ill-constructed building, the house had painted some sort of timeline of man’s entire life. With each level bringing a new chapter in the man’s life - along with the trap doors throughout the house creating doorways to memories - the last floor is engulfed by the sea of time. The writer had a neat idea which is why I could see it being a potential winner, however, it was the slow pace that really made the film unattractive to truly immerse oneself.
ReplyDeleteYou are really careful about the details shown in the short film. The building is getting smaller, which also emphasizes the severe degradation of our environment. Personally speaking, I do not think it has to use a fast tempo, because the emotion that the writer wants to express tends to be sorrowful and the life of the character is miserable. Would it become attractive without losing the original ideas if it would speed up?
DeleteAt first I wasn't sure about the fact that there was no dialogue to the film, however as it progressed I was more drawn to the film for this very reason. This enhanced the music playing throughout the film which set the mood for every scene. As the old man went deeper and deeper into his house, I noticed that the memories became more sentimental and personal to him. There was a strong emotional appeal throughout the film. Personally, I thought the scene where he poured the wine in the old glass even though he was the only one at the table was the most touching. I also agree with Whitney and her reference to the movie "Up", because that was the first thing that popped into my head as the film began. I think this film won because of the simple yet very creative way they used a metaphor between the house and the man's life.
ReplyDeleteThe way of expression in this film seems based on the background music and pictures. I agree that it is the silence that enhances and highlights the old man's memory. Obviously, he is alone and has nothing to do with the life, The world has no longer such a large population. Loneliness makes him to memory, and the memeory reflects the need for communication.
DeleteI thought the video was unique, ingenious and full in connotation. At the beginning minutes, I didn’t understand what the video told and was wondering why there was so much water. But as the old man diving deeper and deeper, I realized that the “water” was not water but the “time”. Every level of house marked a certain period of life. Music, visual effect, story…everything took me into a “memories world”. And I like the ending scene: the old man holds the old wine glass found in the bottom house, imaging his wife is in front of him…
ReplyDeleteWow, good combination and imagination. Yes, every "box" stands for a piece of life, which is also a symbol of memory from the new to the old. From the ending, what do you infer?
DeleteI was deeply touched and impressed by the vieo, especially in the end, the old man raised the glass, as his wife is still alive...I noticed one detail that the photos appeared many times in the video, and there were many photos on the wall. Also, there were many times that the old man raised his head and looked at those photos. I supposed that those photos belonged to himself and his families, and we could conclude that the old was lonely. There is no doubt that this is a creative and outstanding video!
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of interesting details that impress us. As you said, the old kept those photos on the wall, and he can only see his family in the photos. However, why did he stay alone instead of boating outside in order to make new friends to obtain the joys?
DeleteIt is a really touching video, the old man has all of his own memories in that tower. I was impressed that the video repeated the downward floors when the man dived deeper and deeper. Each floors represents a period of his life. Although the lapse of time took many things away from the man, but at the end, when i saw the man cheers with his wife who is actually in his memory, i realized maybe the man is not as lonely as he looks like, at least he has those beautiful memories and love. This video is creative and attractive, it takes people into those scenes, and the award fit this video very much.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning, I thought that he was lonely and had nothing to do with the trouble. He just felt sore and tired all the rest of his life. But after reading your commonts, I really agree with that he was not lonely as he supposed to be. Actually, the memory was not his enemy but his company.
DeleteDid anyone else find any types of symbolism or meaning to the old man and his pipe? He had an entire box full of them and was seen in a most of the memories with the pipe. It almost seemed like losing the pipe in the first place is what sparked him to enter his house and consequently his memories of the past.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very nice video. It shows how we go through change in life and have to move on but we never truly leave everything behind but we will always keep a piece of it with us in our memories. All the memories the man experiences as he goes down inside the house show different periods of his life and they probably relate to all of the pictures on his wall. His family may be gone now but he will never be alone as shown when the man eats the meal at the end and pours two glasses.
ReplyDeleteThis video was beautifully simple and well-done, but it is very depressing. I think it shows how as we age, we tend to leave behind or lose parts of our past that are important to us. In the end, we are left with practically nothing (hence why his house gets progressivly smaller and smaller; he is becoming more and more alone). To me, this is a very sad thought. I think its terrible to think about things we lose in our future. I don't want to think about the times when I have to look back on things that were once close and alive between my friends, my family, and my (now) fiance. But, I agree with what Wenqui Xue said about the house being a container for his memories. People these days seem to just forget about our important past memories. I hope that never happens to me.
ReplyDeleteI think that this video was really good. It showed and expressed so many emotions only through images which were cartoon images with the support of only background music. You could clearly understand the story which was the life story of the man. It was really interesting seeing how tall the house was and the different sizes of the house, how it starts off a small decent house but as it gets taller it gets wider as there is another family member. It was really sad seeing the past of the man and reminds me of how important family is and how much it can affect you.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a beautiful little movie worthy of an academy award. The film doesn't use any spoken words, so the use of actions and music really make the film. It really shows that actions speak louder that words. The man reflects on his life an his family, how he meet his wife, the birth of his daughter. The scene that spoke the most to me is a memory the man of his daughter building a house of blocks and then you see in the current time that houses look like those block houses because rising waters flooded much of the land. All in all I think it is a sad, but really sweet movie,
ReplyDeleteI thought this movie was extremely interesting. It delivered on a deep emotional level, which is saying a lot considering the movie used no words. The music used in the movie served more purpose than words ever could have, changing and setting the moods to fit the scene. Another interesting aspect of this short film was the water. It was a symbol for the memories and time. These things come together and create a deep meaningful piece of art, deserving of the most prestigious award.
ReplyDeleteI thought this movie was extremely interesting. It delivered on a deep emotional level, which is saying a lot considering the movie used no words. The music used in the movie served more purpose than words ever could have, changing and setting the moods to fit the scene. Another interesting aspect of this short film was the water. It was a symbol for the memories and time. These things come together and create a deep meaningful piece of art, deserving of the most prestigious award.
ReplyDeleteThe film definitely hit home for me. What may seem simple on the outside rarely ever is on the inside/deep down. This man had a life long before. The water is an excellent representation of how time, just like water, remains somewhat the same, but is ever flowing. The film makers ability to enrapture their audeince by means of simple animation and music alone is astounding, and definitely deserving of awards of all kinds. This just goes to show that pictures (even moving silent ones) say a thousand words.
ReplyDeleteI think this film is very well-made and has a lot of meanings. Firstly, it's obvious that the film tried to give out a warning about globe warming. It features a fictional world where all the places are covered by water. That's what the scientists claimed what is going to happen to our world if we don't slow down globe warming. In the other hand , it also strongly depicted how a old man recollect his life. How he grew lonelier and lonelier with time passed. That part of the film really moved me cause i started to think about how my mum is going to deal with her life when her child , me , grow up and gain independence. It's said to see that part of the film. Yet in general , i still love this film for its warming atmosphere and well-told story.
ReplyDelete