Over the 20-year history of LIAF we have screened hundreds of films that fall into the comedy category, mostly in our ‘From Absurd to Zany’ programmes. Half of what most of us dream could easily qualify as absurd or zany. A good percentage of the best stuff that comes out of kids mouths is the same. In common, those two wellsprings of the absurd and the zany are firing off imaginations that are less blanketed by the smog of simple realities that gradually grow to demand priority of our private thoughts and public expressions.
Art is about interrogating what lies beneath all that and bringing it out into the open so anybody who wants to, can use it, as a tool to help ease the gradual suffocation of their simplest and most honest thoughts. Animation is a near perfect tool to do that, and in many animated instances that imperative bubbles out in the kind of absurdist and zany films that find their way into this programme.
Here are 10 of the funniest and weirdest films we have screened at LIAF over the years. Several of these films tend to extract the humour from the everyday foibles of normal people and amplify it into an inevitable, hilarious train-crash of an ending. Others give every impression of seeing nothing funny in everyday foibles whatsoever, instead finding ingenious ways to turn the mirror on ourselves until we have little choice but to laugh at our conceits and shortcomings. Sit back, relax, and treat yourself to a laugh.
I Live in the Woods – Max Winston, USA
A Woodsman’s frantic journey, driven by happiness, slaughter and a confrontation with America’s God.
2008 3’25 min
The Control Master – Run Wrake, UK
A secret giganticator device allows a normal woman to increase in size and save the city from dangers. When the device falls into the wrong hands, the city is thrown into peril.
2008 6’45 min
Please Say Something – David OReilly, Ireland
Set in the far-off future, this is the story of a difficult relationship between a very emotional cat and her husband, a tedious mouse.
2008 10’00 min
Sh*t Happens – Michaela Mihalyi & David Stumpf, Czech Republic
In an apartment an exhausted caretaker, his sexually frustrated wife and their neighbour – a widowed deer – all try to cope with their problems, but just end up making things worse.
2019 13’00 min
Hudson Geese – Bernardo Britto, USA
A Canadian goose takes a moment to look back and remember his last migration while reflecting on his family.
2019 5’25 min
Storm Hits Jacket – Paul Cabon, France
A storm is raging on the coast of Britanny. Two young scientists are caught in the turmoil. Espionage, hopes of love and mystical moments collide with excitement and chaos.
2014 13’20 min
Six God Alphabet Peter – Peter Millard, UK
Please wake up Peter. Please wake up. You need to learn your alphabet now Peter.
2016 6’45 min
Push this Button if You Begin to Panic – Gabriel Bohmer, UK/Switzerland
A man goes to the doctor about the growing hole in his head which is becoming quite beautiful.
2020 13’00 min
My Galactic Twin Galaction – Sasha Svirsky, Russia
Any semblance of normality is thrown out of the window when a galactic twin decides to lead a fight against evil.
2020 6’30 min
Pringle of Scotland – David Shrigley, UK
The making of jumpers and cardigans over the past 195-year history of the iconic Scottish brand.
2010 3’10 min
Our Funding Partners
With Special Thanks to the Arts Council England
Event supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery.
Venue
The Horse Hospital is a three tiered progressive arts venue in London providing an encompassing umbrella for the related media of film fashion, music and art. For more information about The Horse Hospital and how to get there, find out more.
Horse Hospital, Online
