Papa est mort

This is a film that has lovely and very inventive animation. Other than that, there was absolutely nothing I liked about the film. The 3 points it earns are only for the animation, as the rest of the film is just ugly and throughly unpleasant--a hateful and nihilistic mess. It looks as if someone decided to make a film just to offend and make people mad or ill--and had no other purpose.

The story, such as it is, seems more an excuse to splice in images of people giving the British equivalent of the middle finger, showing lots of hard-core obscenities on the walls and maggots feasting on rotting food among other such repellent images. In many ways, this film is like The Sex Pistols of film-dom--just meant to be loud, nasty and offensive. And, naturally, some idiots thought this was art and nominated it for a BAFTA award. By this standard, I think I could make an animation of someone defecating and probably get a nomination. What a waste.

Executed with style and skill, 'Dad's Dead' is an exceptionally written short film. Think of it as a roller-coaster ride into a dark mind. While the visuals are stunning thanks to the solid combination of live action and animation. The animated sequences also vary in style and this is fascinating to look at as the entire film feels like a hypnotic experience. It's positively astonishing how Chris Shepherd manages to say so much in such a small amount of time. Ian Hart narrates at a speedy tempo but he certainly grabs the viewer's attention and guides them like a successful hypnotherapist. The main theme, as the title suggests, is very dark but there is plenty of dark humour that brings a balance without being intrusive or taking away from the intensity of the atmosphere. 'Dad's Dead' is an exhilarating experience...albeit short lasting but very effective.

Reminded me very strongly of the worst aspect of childhood when I grew up in north London. Whatever school/whatever I found myself in I always found characters similar to Johnno-not as extreme-but that heart of mischevousness which could flip very quickly to viciousness.

I guess I am not alone in this. The film plays out a tale that is compusive viewing, though doubtlessly twisted.

The dialogue is deadpan and the animation pulls you in with its urban icons bluring in and around the characters.

Worth watching - others have panned this as too grim, but I am certain that you will know a real life johnno. More interesting are those that will recognise themselves in johnno...

This short film made quite an impression on me when I first watched it. I thought it was odd and quite different from others. It goes through a lot of memories and establishes a rather bleak tone.

Another outstanding film from Bermuda Film Festival. Like the winner of Best Short - WASP. This film earned a honourable mention for it's powerful insight into what happens inside the mind of a sociopath. It was the most original and different film I think I've seen. Blending imagination with reality in a way I've never seen. It was like mixing fine art painting with a hard urban story. Saying that the technique didn't compromise the punk street feel of the film.

Johnno controls his best friend. Making him do things you just DONT do. We watch as the lies and cheats. Abusing an old man, shattering all of the boys hopes and dreams in the process. I found myself thinking about the film for days. Do people like this exist? If so, what are they up to? And why does society not deal with them? This one also hit the audience hard because of it's brutal ending and no doubt left them feeling at unease with the world.