WE ARE ONE: A GLOBAL FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW! Survival is the keyword for living in the Australian Outback in the beautifully animated short, Bilby. A Bilby is a cute desert bunny native to Australia, and our Bilby is braving the desert heat fighting amongst the other desert critters, like the dung beetle, for the scarce amount of berries to eat.
Now with an armful of berries, Bilby stumbles over a small fluffy baby bird struggling to stand up. The problem is the bird’s legs are too little to support its massive head (how is it this species ever survived Darwinism?). Clearly frustrated, Bilby helps the baby bird to its feet at the cost of his fresh berries. Soon, his compassion sends him on a dangerous trip to find a safe place for the bird.
“…his compassion sends him on a dangerous trip to find a safe place for the bird.”
Bilby reminds me of the Bugs Bunny/Road Runner cartoons of old in terms of basic story, pacing, and tone. It’s one slapstick moment after another as Bilby staves off many of the baby’s natural predators. No good deed goes unpunished, and Bilby goes through the wringer for his deeds.
What’s most impressive is the quality of animation. This Dreamworks entrant is truly remarkable. The vistas are incredible and the cuteness factor is off the charts with this one. The textures of both Bilby and the bird makes you want to hug the hell out of the little varmints. Don’t show your kids this short, or they’ll want one of their own. Ah, just show it to them and good luck.
Bilby screened as the Annecy International Animation Film Festival entrant to the We Are One: A Global Film Festival.
"…reminds me of the Bugs Bunny/Road Runner cartoons..."
