Short of the Week

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Experimental August "Poul" Niclasen

Deepness of the Fry

Living in a world where everything’s already been said, felt, and done before, can anyone truly be unique? And is thinking about this too much really a good idea?

Play
Experimental August "Poul" Niclasen

Deepness of the Fry

Living in a world where everything’s already been said, felt, and done before, can anyone truly be unique? And is thinking about this too much really a good idea?

Deepness of the Fry

Directed By August "Poul" Niclasen
Produced By The Animation Workshop
Made In Denmark

Initially conceived as a concept, instead of a narrative piece, Deepness of the Fry is an absurd existential crisis disguised as a collage film. Exploring Mark Twain’s notion that there is no such thing as a new idea, this Animation Workshop short delivers an onslaught of styles, through a series of vignettes, all focused on the question ‘can anyone truly be unique?’

Inspired by questions surrounding originality, director August “Poul” Niclasen was drawn to this subject and the accompanying filmmaking approach, to not only address his own queries, but also to make the most of his team’s talents.

“I wanted to make a project that facilitated the creative needs and talents of each individual team member”, Niclasen explains. “By allowing them to work in whichever style or medium they were interested in or passionate about, I hoped to boost their productivity as well as make them happier about their work in general. (and surprisingly enough: it worked).”

“Essentially the concept was: let’s throw ideas on the wall and see what sticks”, he adds. “From there it was a leap of faith whether or not there would be a tolerable film in the end. The team and I are of course very happy we dared to take that leap.”

Aesthetically, the film’s scattergun approach is a joy to watch and though the robotic nature of the voiceover does make it hard to connect to the words at times, it’s in the visuals of the piece where the real connections lay. Whether laughing at some of the more bizarre scenarios (that “golden shower” scene!!) or glowing in the tenderness of others, that optical onslaught does hit home and it feels like with every subsequent viewing of the film, you could pick up on new moments to relish.

Director August reveals he’s currently “playing around with a lot of ideas” including a “less cerebral, spiritual sequel to Deepness of the Fry” as well as a slightly unconventional love story about a couple and their challenges to stay together.