Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
By Daisy Jacobs
Nominated 2012 – Best Animated Film
One man, his dog and a trail of broken women. Don Justino is a fascinating swine; beautiful, but rotten inside. He sips tea in his Brutalist tower-block, and morphs continually – romantic hero, (dropping the heroine) Bond… Panning into the teacup, a naked woman collapses and hysterical women scream. Undressing, he teems with weevils and kicks his dog savagely off-screen.
About the director
Daisy was born in Portsmouth, went to primary school in Wales, junior school in Germany, and secondary school back in England. She studied at CSM – Foundation, Illustration Degree, Post-graduate Diploma in Character Animation. Now at the National Film and Television school, doing an MA in directing, she plans on staying in London and making films indefinitely.
“I used hand-drawn 2D animation and After-Effects to make Don Justino de Neve and enjoyed every moment of making it. I found the painting of Don Justino de Neve in the National Portrait Gallery. I stared into his beautiful face and knew he would kick that dog -hard, and enjoy it. His eyes tell me it’s his right as a beautiful and stylish man to cause pain; if women are drawn to him and destroyed, it’s their own fault; they know they should keep away. He has existed throughout time and will never disappear, unless next time you meet him, you kick him first. Kick him to the curb and walk swiftly on.”
Judges’ comments
Charmingly naive style with a very 1950’s feel. Lovely, poetic script, showing how important it is to get the words right as well as the pictures. The revelation at the end is wonderful. The whole thing is both poetic, witty and painterly. – Tim McInnerny
A witty, fresh animation which doesn’t outstay its welcome. However, I was hoping for a more mischievous, more malevolent, more subversive take. Felt like it could have gone further. – Jim Field Smith
Wonderful animation. Inspired by a 17th Century portrait that hangs in the National Gallery. Loved the 50’s/early 60’s style of animation and the arrogance of this lovely loathsome character. – Steve Furst
Posted in: 2012 Films In Detail