M. found this one a bit too fast-paced, but I enjoyed this lively, drawn-, painted-, and scratched-on-film animation by Norman McLaren and Evelyn Lambart, with music by Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson.
Age: 1+
Child rating: 7/10
Adult rating: 9/10
Running time: 8 minutes
Available for free on the National Film Board of Canada website
This is a sweet, short animation of a dancing chicken by Norman McLaren, from the early 1940s. The animation is drawn directly on to the film with pen and ink, and the musical accompaniment is an old-time string band.
Age: 1+
Child rating: 9/10
Adult rating: 9/10
Running time: 4 minutes
Available free on the National Film Board of Canada website
This is another collaboration between Norman McLaren and Evelyn Lambart, with a soundtrack composed and performed by Pete Seeger. As the name suggests, the visuals consist almost entirely of horizontal lines (and a handful of slightly vertical ones), moving up and down in different configurations and speeds. The visual effect is mesmerizing, and it’s great hearing a slightly more experimental side of Pete Seeger’s music.
Age: 2+
Child rating: 8/10
Adult rating: 9/10
Running time: 6 minutes
Available free on the Nation Film Board of Canada website
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