Director: Hayato Nove

34min  |  Animation, Experimental  I  ND  |  Japan  I  2022

Continuing in the vein of veteran illustrator-turned-animator NOVE Hayato’s 2016 work affordance, this mesmerizing animation depicts the cycle of life in a beautifully idiosyncratic way. The anthropomorphic characters in this world look something like beluga whales walking upright. What appears to be a guardian and child wait outside in the rain before being ushered into a space filled with beings subtly different than they are. There are unintelligible verbal assessments, curious blood tests, buttons pushed, and much poking and prodding. When success is achieved, a polka-dot dress drops from above onto the “winner” and they are greeted with applause. When they fail, they sink into liquid and rejoin the back of the line. Things grow more serious, setting in motion visually stunning depictions of death and rebirth. During the second act, the minimalist musical backdrop emerges into a melodic, extended slow core song, surprisingly written and performed by NOVE himself. NOVE’s grasp of light and shadow, as well as his use of highly organic forms interacting with geometric patterns is an impressive feat. 

- Pia Film Fetsival

Parallax

Born in 1971, Hayato Nove worked for five (5) years in several design offices as a graphic designer and illustrator. He became a freelance designer and illustrator five years after working for design firms. He Began creating short animation works and other art works from 2007 up to present.