animate!

Films : The Old Fools : all

animate! synopsis

A clear-eyed look at the inevitability of our demise based on Philp Larkin’s poem of the same name, voiced by Bob Geldof.

short synopsis

A clear-eyed look at the inevitability of our own decay and death. With some humour and visual seduction, the film uses images that are visceral, abrasive and sometimes quite beautiful, hinting at the consequences of our society’s denial of death.

long synopsis

The Old Fools directed by Ruth Lingford is based on the poem of the same name by Philip Larkin. Written when the poet’s mother was in a nursing home.

Like the poem, the film explores the ambivalent feelings of tenderness and disgust, compassion and terror evoked by countenancing the decay and death of a loved parent.

It offers a clear-eyed look at the inevitability of our demise. The film presents a clear-eyed look at the inevitability of our own decay and death, with some humour and visual seduction.

Using images that are visceral, abrasive and sometimes quite beautiful, the film hints at the consequences of our society’s denial of death. Techniques include DV footage, drawings and typography digitally animated, using Painter and After Effects.

key credits

director: Ruth Lingford
animator: Ruth Lingford
editor: Jo Ann Kaplan
sound designer: Phillipe Ciompi
producer: Jane Colling

Ruth Lingford

short biography

Ruth graduated in animation from the Royal College of Art. Since then, she has directed multi-award winning films for Channel 4 and is currently tutor on MA animation courses at the Royal College of Art and the National Film & Television School.

She collaborated with Shynola on the music video An Eye for an Eye for UNKLE, which won the McLaren Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2002.

October 2002