Knobs in Space

Anthology of Aardman Animation short films released in theaters in 1996, centered on the new release of the third Wallace & Gromit short, "A Close Shave." Includes: "A Close Shave," "Creature Comforts" and "Heat Electric Commercials" by Nick Park; "Rex the Runt: How Dinosaurs Became Extinct", "Rex the Runt: Dreams" and "Ident" by Richard Goleszowski; "Wat's Pig" and "My Baby Just Cares For Me" by Peter Lord; "Early Bird" by Peter Lord and David Sproxton; "Pib and Pog" directed by Peter Peake

The strange Pearce sisters live in isolation on a remote, rain-swept island. One day, a sailor is washed ashore and the sisters take steps to ensure they retain their guest.

Summer is a time of endless potential, but when a rabbit’s fears start getting in the way of having fun with his friends, Beanboy pops in and does his thing.

The story follows Oskar and his two brothers, Jonathan and Lukas, during the 90s, in the outskirts of the Swedish city of Gothenburg. Their father is the local priest of a quiet church and he brings his kids there every Sunday. On this particular Sunday, Oskar doesn’t like what his father says about faith. He and his brothers sneak out to play games in the forest instead. Oskar wants to play a game that has nothing to do with religion, where he has powers of his own. They launch into an anime schoolgirl fantasy frenzy of killing imaginary monsters with laser beams when some older kids find them near the edge of a tall cliff. They bully the brothers, forcing them to confront how weak their faith actually is. Oskar is conflicted: should he stick up for his faith or admit it’s not real?

After the British left India, Anglo-Indians fell from grace. And Morris Jelly dropped like a stone. He hit the filthy streets of Calcutta in all their hallucinogenic splendour and life became a dream. Even in death his mercurial spirit runs rings around his friends.

Aardman turn the cinema screen into a mirror and offer this delightful portrait of the typical film festival audience. Intro film for the 38th London Film Festival, which observes their pitch perfect use of cartoonish techniques with stop motion.

Stop motion animation.

A small blue tick goes on a journey of discovery...