Nominated for an Oscar in 2015, the animated short “A Single Life” is the story of a woman who receives a mysterious vinyl record and discovers it allows her to fast forward and rewind her life by moving the needle as the record plays.
The song on the record is a real pleasure, too. Written for the project by Job, one of the film’s creators, it’s recorded by his acoustic folk group Happy Camper and features the Dutch singer Pien Fieth. Though the lyrics of the song urge the woman to take it slow, she is too intrigued by the novelty of her sudden ability to time travel to heed the warning.
“Slow down, take it slow before you gotta go
Beware, if you blow it, you know you gotta go”
The design of the film is thoroughly entertaining and gives really interesting clues to the character’s backstory. What first caught my eye was the book on the mantle entitled “Time is on my Side” by Marty McFly, but as the character jumped around in her life, I found myself pausing the video in each scene to more closely examine each of the “sets.” I was not disappointed.
Produced/Directed by the Dutch animation studio, Job, Joris & Marieke (Job Roggeveen, Joris Oprins, and Marieke Blaauw), the film received more acclaims than any short I’ve ever seen. I can see why. Though the ending is a bit dark, as a cautionary tale, I think it’s top rate, and I really enjoyed the story, animation, and design.
You can see all the filmmakers’ work on their website.
September 14, 2018 at 6:12 am
It may beshort but these take forever to produce. so much detail
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 14, 2018 at 7:01 am
That’s so true! I thought they did a really good job.
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 14, 2018 at 7:37 am
Thanks for the link Donna, a surprise ending in this short movie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 14, 2018 at 8:12 am
Surprise ending is right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 14, 2018 at 12:18 pm
That’s a brilliant short. It achieves so much in under three minutes. Like you, I played it more than once to really look at the details. I love the ending.
LikeLiked by 2 people
September 14, 2018 at 3:52 pm
I loved the ending, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 14, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Delightful! This is going to show up in Creative Juice soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 14, 2018 at 4:54 pm
Hooray!
LikeLike
September 14, 2018 at 7:48 pm
This is brilliant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 14, 2018 at 9:27 pm
Isn’t it? Glad you liked it.
LikeLike
September 19, 2018 at 11:41 am
A cautionary tale, alright!!! Yikes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 21, 2018 at 6:16 am
“Slow down, you move too fast…”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Creative Juice #109 | ARHtistic License