Neighbours

Overview

The neighbor was the 1952 film of Norman McLaren. The film tells the story of two original neighbors, and they began to fight for a flower.

Classification

Type: Experimental animation with dark humor and social satire.

Themes: Violence, human nature, conflict.

Mood: The film starts calmly, but soon turns intense, shifting from lighthearted to serious.

Form and Function

McLaren uses a technology called “pixilation”. This technology makes the film look more like a top animation and children’s album, which enhances the feeling of fable

Process

Neighbours is a classic example of pixilation. McLaren filmed each movement of the actors frame by frame, making their actions appear unnatural and exaggerated. This technique turns the actors into almost puppet-like figures, symbolizing the mindless and mechanical nature of people when caught in conflict. McLaren also added illustrations and animated effects to enhance the film’s impact.

Formal Elements

Space and Composition

The setting is very simple, almost like a stage. The two neighbors are placed close together in one small area, which reflects the idea of fighting over limited resources. The composition is clear, focusing on the characters’ movements and emotions.

Color and Lighting

The film is in color, and the flower is especially bright, standing out as the center of conflict. The flower’s vivid color represents desire and possession, reinforcing the film’s theme.

Movement and Rhythm

The jerky, repetitive movements created by pixilation make the fighting scenes look absurd and exaggerated, almost like a cartoon. This mocks the idea of people fighting over something small.