2D

The Grim Reaper visits a very old woman. So, here’s what I have learned from this film: don’t mess with old ladies. Don’t go thinking you can turn up round their house with your creepy boney Grim Reaper face and super-bendy neck and just get your big’old scythe out. All I’m saying is there may be repercussions.

Back in 2002 Director Ignacio Ferreras emerged from years of isolation into the full glare of the animation media spotlight and won a pile of awards.

If you follow animation and you’re more than 7 years old then chances are, you’ve seen this. If not, many shames upon you! Either way, what you probably don’t know is… It took 14 years to complete this film. Ignacio drew it with his eyes closed, standing on one leg in a wind swept hut on the slopes of the Himalayas, circled by ravenous wild dogs, eating only gruel. He was visited once a month by cruel monks who made unkind comments about him through his letterbox. It was a tough life. Now some of these facts may be entirely made up by me just now but that does not change the fact that “How to Cope With Death” is cosmically awesome and probably took ages. And even if you have seen it, see it again because you know what, it’s still good.

I hate to say “OOoooh look at the detail in that.” but “OOoooh look at the detail in that”. This is a masterful bit of traditional animation full of great timing and great story telling detail. It’s scary and funny and‚ well, just watch it. And maybe after you watch it you should give your Granny a call.