Timber

The idea here sounds great. A bunch of logs sit out in a stripped forest. Much like the survivors in the movie Alive, the logs soon realize that to keep warm they will have to burn parts of their bodies – or rather, one of them realizes he will need to burn the other logs to survive himself. With such a dark premise it is a bit disappointing in the way it plays out, which is reasonably predictably. The idea is always a few levels smarter than the specifics of the delivery and, although the sight of logs burning one another is quite funny and dark, it doesn't really excel in its disturbing darkness or in how funny it is.

The animation is sharp and the film is well made, but it such a great idea from the start that it does feel like a shame that it is only 'okay' and not significantly above that.

Decent animation, great idea. And, almost enough for remind the need of solidarity, for give precise reflection of near reality behavior and for confess a deep truth defining us so obvious, so often.

This is why I watch animated short films! Timber puts forward a thought-provoking idea: what if firewood wanted to light a fire to stay warm and avoid freezing to death? And what if that meant sacrificing parts of themselves-or even their entire selves-as fuel for the flames? It's such a peculiar and unique concept that you can't help but love it.

But seriously, there's a clear connection to humanity as well. The film beautifully illustrates group dynamics in survival situations: how the big bullies refuse to contribute to the common good and are quick to throw others under the bus just to save themselves. There are some real lessons here.