Broken Saints

It's a funny thing that in this day and age of internet society through which it was able to take root and grow, the first I ever heard of "Broken Saints" was by old fashioned window shopping. This alone, I think, means that I have missed out on a gigantic part of what made the series so enticing to many; not only that it was completely free but that it stood as a testament to the Internet's fulfilled promise of a global community and prosperous mass medium for independent artists. This was not the first internet series I have purchased on DVD; Rooster Teeth's "Red vs. Blue", an online Machinema production created by independent Texan film-makers, remains one of the most delightful discoveries of my life. However, "Broken Saints" is the first independent internet project I have bought entirely on spec, and this goes towards proving that there is more to the series' appeal than its initial medium.

Brooke Burgess' flash creation is one of the most unique works of art I have ever encountered. Consisting of 24 episodes of increasing length (beginning at 10 minutes and eventually running for over an hour), the series uses a fusion of comic narration, flash animation, music and, in the case of the remastered DVD version, voice acting to propel its story, the premise for which is inherently twisted. As the slow reveal is a major part of the series' deep intrigue, I will try to reveal nothing further than might be read in a blurb: On the unsuspecting cusp of a new technological age, four complete and diverse strangers begin to simultaneously receive violent spiritual turbulences; seizures, visions, crises of faith, inexplicable emotions. Strange, disturbing events in each of their lives drive them desperate for answers, and the harder they search for absolution, the closer they come to each other and the higher the stakes climb.

Now what I am about to say is something that really confused me at first: as a story, I didn't like "Broken Saints" all that much. It uses a very David Lynch style kind of linear narration (borderline nonsensical), and although all the vague poetry and metaphors are probably all made clear in the end, this happens in an overly preachy and bombastic sort of way. As a fierce atheist, I actually quite like bold agnosticism in a film, which is probably why I cared enough for the plot to see it through to the end (uncertainty of a higher being is held brilliantly throughout most of the series). But by the end I couldn't help but feel that the collective twelve hours I had spent watching the series had been a ploy to impose some kind of Faith on me. Hey, maybe I'm just interpreting the whole thing in a defensive way.

But what drove me to nonetheless give this series full marks and resolve to watch the whole thing again is really a deep respect for the creators: Brooke Burgess, Andrew West and Ian Kirby. These guys may hold a slightly different opinion to me on a spiritual level (I happened to agree with their politics, though), but they sure know how to argue their point. The sensory impact of "Broken Saints" is quite remarkable; the artwork and music cues (by Tobias Tinker, check him out on Myspace) are some of the most haunting and beautiful I have seen. The genius of this is that it keeps you interested long enough for other things to grab hold; empathy for the characters, intrigue into story development, and all that.

This is why, eventually, you never really hold much against a series like this. "Broken Saints" is a pretty broad web of appeal; if it loses your interest in one regard, it will catch it somewhere else. You don't like the alien culture of Shandala's Fijian islands and Oran's Saudi Arabian deserts then maybe Raimi's dark, post-modern America and filthy mouth will make you feel more at home. You don't like the preachy, new age gospel of the believers, then maybe you'll buy the more understated search for purpose; not necessarily God, just purpose. You don't like the politics, then just enjoy the art. You don't love the art, then respect the history of the project. In the end, whether you've been converted to a higher perception of life or just entertained for a few empty nights, the closing credits of "Broken Saints" will see you, however subconsciously, respecting one of the most finely argued contentions of artistic creation the world has ever seen. Word is Bond ;).

This series whispers quietly in the back of your head long after you finish watching it. The series is beautiful and deeply thought provoking. It just might change the way you see the world forever.

Seriously, it's that deep. I would advise those who watch the series to appreciate the slow pace of the series. There's much that is said through inferences, shadowy speech, and innumerable symbols so the slow pace allows you to study each word and facial expression carefully.

If you go beneath the surface and scratch at the truth behind the story, it really could change you. Like the opening menus on the DVDs say, "What would you give to know the truth?"

This is unlike anything I ever experienced. A new medium if you will. By the time you realize the depth of the story and characters it is too late for you too turn away. You will be hooked and changed forever. I have never felt compelled to write any words for a film or such but the fact that this production was done so under ( out of ) the Hollywood radar and succeeds on so many levels makes it a compelling success. Give it a shot. There is a darkness that holds this piece together in the beginning but it ultimately redeemed. Anyone feeling the pangs of coping in our auto-destruct, auto-pilot society will feel that they are not alone, indeed they have a friend and a voice who understands. The voice overs are brilliant .. try to pick out the Smoking Man from X-files. I would really love to experience this in theaters.. especially the ending in the cathedral.. check out the old flash web site for a taste I guess.. give yourself some time. This isn't a Hollywood adrenaline fix but rather the real deal Peace

This is the question posed by Brooke Burgess and his band of artistic miscreants from the shores of Vancouver, British Columbia. The truth, it seems, is mired in a web of lies, half truths, deceit and revelations, as 4 complete strangers from the far reaches of the globe are drawn together to seek the truth; about the world, themselves and each other. Things are lost, things are found, souls are destroyed and healed. There are new beginnings and finalities.

Sound like a live action Hollywood blockbuster? Guess again... It's Broken Saints. Now a critically acclaimed epic that started online and has grown to the offered DVD, the history of the project alone is enough to make the casual observer curious. Nevermind the fact that it was originally offered for free (and still is) in Macromedia Flash, and that the creator and his followers went without often to offer it to the world... the question most often raised is "Well, what is it?" The real question is, what *isn't* it? It's anime meeting graphic novel, meeting technology, meeting soul seeking, meeting the questioning of self and motives and the world we reside in today. It's timely, it's epic. It's presented in Dolby 5.1 Surround. It's a labour of true love.

Broken Saints (or, "BS") began as a vision and a journey. 3 long, hard years have seen fruition of this. This is not some "direct to video" work where the producer puts the product out and hopes for the best, this is a work wherein the creator monitors and assesses each and every turn of his endeavor.... And not for the money. It's a testament to see who's "getting it". Who can absorb the creator's vision and understand it. Who responds and if they respond in a forward thinking and positive way.

The DVD 4-disc set was put together with haste, but it doesn't show. You would think that better part of just over a year was invested to bring this vision from the "small screen" of the computer to the small screen of the living room. The voice actors were chosen on merit and what they could bring to the project. The music, done by Tobias Tinker, Burgess' cousin, is haunting, uplifting and right on target for each scene. The art was reworked for the first parts of the storyline by Andrew West, illustrator extrodinaire, to bring it up to par with the later segments.

If you want to know the truth. If you are tired of seeing Hollywood schlock foisted at every turn, touting itself to be the "next big thing", If you want to support small scale, homegrown, quality endeavors and you think that the people who sweat, toil, worry and bleed over their projects and worry more about the message than their bank accounts. if you want to experience a rich story tapestry that often leaves you wondering what happens next; what twist is around the corner, and doesn't use Hollywood "formula" to insult your intelligence and become another predictable travesty, I urge you to check out Broken Saints.

If you like mystery, sci-fi and horror, you should take a look on "Broken saints" a unique and surreal animated series, being thrilling and emotional at the same time. After I saw the fist episode, I was captivated by the style used by Brooke Burgess: the music,the voices, the atmosphere, the use of colors, everything on "Broken Saints" fits very well with the dark tone of the series. The animation style is quite interesting:Like a comic, characters on the most part remain in static poses and dialogue is indicated by speech balloons. However, rather than exclusively using sequential panels, animated sequences are used to switch scenes and help advance the story, while some music and sound effects are included, lending a more cinematic experience than one would ordinarily achieve with a comic strip alone. And the result of all of this is "Broken Saints", a series that deserves more appreciation that it actually receives.I recommend this tittle to every animation fan.