The Moustache

The Moustache -trailer from Anni Oja on Vimeo.

 This town is not big enough for the two of them. 

                                                                  Nor their moustaches... 

   

   ... And that's it really, that really is the gist of this incredibly entertaining animation by Anni Oja. While a short animation with not much depth in terms of its story (Or maybe it does, and I just don't get it, seeing as I don't necessarily possess a moustache as full or as lustrous as the two main characters'). Again, while I won't be going down a stop motion route after graduating from this course (That is if they need background paintings), I can certainly still appreciate works such as these, with its beautifully made puppets, props and settings. While it all takes place in just one setting, there is so much detail seen in this quaint little town street, that is for some reason inhabited by only men with facial hair... One of my favourites was the flower stand to the side, which made for a really love still shot with the vibrantly coloured flowers that decorated that shot alongside the three onlookers.

   The violin sound cues and whipping sound effects (Which sadly aren't featured in this trailer, though then again, a lot has changed in the final animation from this trailer) used in this animation added so much to the humour and tension between these two competitive moustachioed gentlemen. It was just impossible to hold back my chuckles from the poses, expressions and body language and movements seen throughout. Endearingly silly with some beautiful puppet designs and character animation (That swagger, though), this was a really enjoyable little piece of animation to watch and was definitely one of the more memorable stop motion pieces that I watched at the festival. It's been months and honestly, I can still remember most the cartoony closing sequence to this day...