User Reviews

Because I read the synopsis on the Cartoon Brew site I saw this Vimeo-linked animated short by Kangmin Kim on, I know this has a father-son theme but I wouldn't have known that otherwise. Lots of cut-and-paste images that make this one of the most fascinating of such shorts I've ever seen. So the story concerns a dream by the elderly one in a public bathtub having a dream of his son trying to wipe away a big birthmark which he also has. Like I said, pretty fascinating though I also mentioned that I wouldn't have known otherwise if I hadn't read about it beforehand and therefore, part of me was confused as to what was going on. So on that note, I think I'll give 38-39 a 5...

This is a VERY strange film in that the filmmakers are NOT listed on the IMDb page! I have never seen one like this but can tell you that it's by Kangmin Kim--and was posted on Cartoon Brew's website.

As far as the story goes, I really cannot adequately describe it, other than to say it's set in a bathhouse AND it's really weird. However, to me, the story is really secondary. Instead, I noticed the amazing animation--which, I assume, was done (in part) with cut-outs as well as CGI and created sets. But, I could easily be wrong--all I know is that he really showed off many different skills and styles. Considering how new Kim is to the field, this is an amazingly good calling card--announcing that he and the rest of the folks who made this are forces to be reckoned with in the animation business. Well worth seeing and eye-popping.

In the relaxing atmosphere of a bath house, a son lets his father-issues come to the surface – or at least, that's what I think happens in this short film because this is what the plot summary suggests and what the film kinda appears to do. I am a bit vague on this because the film is mostly a very vivid and angry dream with only the top and tail being set in a "real world" of the bath house. We see a young man washing his father (they both share the same birthmark) and this act becomes more angry and frenzied as the birthmark changes and as the father becomes a rock and as the younger man works harder and eventually the noise bits and the colors explode everywhere.

This is as close to a description as you'll get from me because this wasn't a short where I really engaged in the story and indeed it wasn't a short I really "enjoyed" so much as experienced, but it is good as an experience. The noise is the main thing that will stick with me; my two cats were sleeping nearby and both were up with ears back as the sonic assault of the dream built and built. It works well when combined with violently vivid animation which makes little sense but is filled with life and energy. I would have loved to have gotten more from it, but as a visual and audio experience it is worth a look – just don't expect it to make a great deal of sense along the way.