Posts Tagged ‘AIR’

Cosa racommanda lei by Chris Ketchell

Written by andy 7th July 2009, 10:07am

Posted in: Channel 4, Comedy, Reviews

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It’s 1962 and a middle aged, British holidaymaker flies to Italy having mastered a single phrase: “COSA RACOMMANDA LEI”.

It’s a simple story idea and you can’t help but watch it unfold with a sense of comic dread. The main character, voiced by the incomparable Victor Spinetti, has a marvellous time, oblivious to the trail of mishaps, crimes and chaos he leaves in his wake. He reminds me of Alan Wicker for some reason. Though Wicker doesn’t have quite such a pointy head or sport a tiny, tiny hat. I digress.

The inventive production design makes this surprisingly stylish. And the music gives it an appropriately retro vibe. It’s witty, fun and has a monkey wearing a fez. RACCOMANDATO!

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A-Z

Written by andy 29th May 2009, 2:05pm

Posted in: 2D, Channel 4, Reviews

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Director: Sally Arthur, 2007

Best Short Short award at Bradford Animation Festival 2008, best Documentary at Rushes Soho Shorts.

This film is about Mrs P, eccentric artist and creator of the essential A-Z map of London. She lost herself in the streets of London, so we don’t have to. I still get lost in London, but that’s probably a combination of dyslexia and laziness on may part. This is an interesting story. How did Mrs P manage this incredible task?  Sally Arthur brings the question to life with imagination and wit. Set to the cool Music of Ollie Davis (some kind of Jazz Philip Glass), you feel the rush of facts and figures, the perpetual motion of the protagonist. This fast moving collage of drawings, cut-outs and hand drawn lettering is a breathless glimpse at the life of Mrs P and the chaos of 1930s London. She wore out shoes, wrestled with the seemingly endless stream of streets, place names and landmarks of London. She filled notebooks by the dozen but she did it. This short film is a fitting tribute to an unsung hero of the modern age.  Oh and in case you were wondering (I know I was) Mrs P’s real name is Mrs Phyllis Pearsall.

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