Present-day fine art sees a revival of social commitment. The HAFF wants to initiate a discussion on this subject with a theme programme of committed animation films on various subjects via different media. The programme was set up with Gerrit van Dijk, who stood at the cradle of the HAFF and passed away in December 2012. The programme was initiated before his demise. He is a pioneer in this field, with a poetical film like Butterfly R.I.P. 1975 (1975), but also the more aggressive Jute films (1979).
Socially committed films are of all time and display a broad thematic palette, but also pre-eminently demonstrate the spirit of the times and have quite their own dynamics in storytelling. For example, animation film traditionally has strong ties with politics. Animation was frequently deployed to engage in politics, as a means of propaganda and also to express criticism. Animation provides an effective packaging. It can be concealing not to pose an immediate threat and entertaining to convey messages more easily. But also distinctly radical. In animation, filmmakers have everything in their own hands and with the Internet they have a hungry and potentially gigantic public within reach.
In a small apartment in Buenos Aires, an old woman eagerly awaits the birth of her grandchild and all the joys of becoming a grandmother. However, horrific circumstances mean that she will be forced to wait for over 30 years. Using real-life testimonials this animated-documentary raises issues of memory, repression and loss.
Aanklacht tegen de oprukkende verstedelijking. In een statisch shot wordt het verhaal van een vlinder verbeeld, wiens levensruimte steeds verder wordt beperkt door de bouw van huizen en fabrieken. Nieuwbouw vult in rap tempo de groene omgeving van de vlinder totdat deze, opgeprikt en ingelijst, aan de muur eindigt.
Protest against advancing urbanisation. A static shot portrays the story of a butterfly whose living space is increasingly restricted through the building of houses and factories. New development invades the butterfly’s green environment at a rapid pace until the butterfly is pinned up and framed on the wall.
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A woman writes a letter that will be read by a man in prison. A letter full of love, worry, compassion, suffering and hope.
Freedom for Jafar Panahi, and all imprisoned Iranian filmmakers.
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