Synopsis:
A musical gardener ejects his hired hand, leading to things on his little planet going horribly astray.
Review by Victoria Angelique:
The simplistic beauty of the animated film HINTER-LAND is reminiscent of vintage shorts that are still much loved today as this film would fit right in with Betty Boop, Felix the Cat and other cartoon classics. The animator, Christopher Angus, clearly has a love for the history of animation by giving nods to the classics while adding in his own story and unique animation style within this multilayered film.
The surface story is one that is familiar. Two friends whose friendship ends and they turn into enemies over a single fight. Todd is a happy and magical character that can bring light and life into his world, whereas his former friend is angry as he sucks color and life out of their planet. The powerful notion shows how intense anger can physically change people, turning everything they touch into darkness as they destroy what makes others happy, stuck in one’s own narrative rather than focusing on the truth.
The animated short also shows the importance in preserving nature. Todd carefully cultivates sunflowers, trying to bring life back into his world. He is oblivious to what his former friend is doing as he uses his skills to care for life until his friend finally makes him snap. The film has an unexpected twist from such a bright character when Todd kills his former roommate by summoning the sun and other planets to aid in destroying the darkness of the world.
Sound plays an important role in elevating HINTER-LAND. The music leads the characters going from whimsical to dark before the world is destroyed. The score plays with emotions so that the audience can feel what each of the characters are feeling, making both of the former friends sympathetic characters.
The film depicts the actions of individuals and nature working together, both in harmony and destruction to show how the choices of one can affect another before plunging the scenery into darkness to the point where it takes a fight to bring light back into the world. Angus ends the film with a perfect quote from Alister E. McGrath to summarize this beautifully animated short as there are many interconnected levels to this film.
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