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Archive for June 18th, 2007

Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb

June 18th, 2007 by Jon Beinart

'The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb' is an innovative stop frame animation film directed by Dave Borthwick and produced by the 'Bolex Brothers' (released in 1995). This is a beautiful tale of a tiny (clay) toddler (Tom) kidnapped from his loving human parents. Tom finds himself in a genetic lab with a host of caged mutant creatures and escapes to journey back to his father. The setting is a gloomy and squalid urban environment with neanderthal like human actors who communicate with grunts and moans.

The fusion of stop motion animation and pixilation (live actors posed and shot frame-by-frame) is unlike anything I have ever seen. This task would have demanded a massive level of patience from all parties involved (not to mention severe cramps for the actors). The over all effect is delightfully surreal and creepy and comparable to the work of Jan Svankmajer & the Brothers Quay. I recommend this film to everyone (even people who are easily disturbed will be impressed by the animation and atmosphere of The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb).

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Jon Beinart founded The beinArt Surreal Art Collective & beinArt Publishing (Metamorphosis) in 2006. beinArt.org was designed by Leo Plaw. All artists have granted permission to be featured on this website. All art herein is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the express permission of the respective artists. beinArt.org represents contemporary artists working in one or more of the following art traditions: Fantastic Realism, Surrealism, Symbolism, Pop Surrealism, Lowbrow, Psychedelic, Visionary, Esoteric, Erotic & Macabre Art.