There’s nothing better than an inventive animated film that makes the most out of simple elements. Director and Writer Shane Dioneda’s animated short “Space Race” isn’t just a great, inspired space adventure, but it really feels like something that would have come out of the age when ATOM Films was a presence on the web (with a dash of Aardman for good measure). I mean that as the utmost compliment.
Just as an astronaut successfully lands on the moon and prepares to plant his flag , he discovers a rival astronaut who has the same goal in mind. Now, the two astronauts traverse the harsh landscape of the moon to claim the highest ground over the other. And both are willing to risk everything for sake of competition.
“Space Race” is a beautifully animated silent film that is basically accompanied by wonderful piano score. While the short relies on its simplicity, it conveys a sprawling tale about two astronauts struggling to stake their claim on the moon. The Red Flag and Blue Flag astronauts go to extreme lengths to make history, but inevitably there’s a turning in the tides. As the hazards grow on the moon’s environment, they begin to rely on one another to get to their goal.
This conveys a fascinating moral about humanity and how it’s easier to just come to an understanding and help one another rather than do battle. The idea of walking on the moon and staking the claim becomes trivial once Dioneda shifts the narrative in to a message about humanity. Despite us never seeing who are in these astronaut suits, director Dioneda is successfully able to translate their emotions and general attitudes through body gestures and how they approach one another. “Space Race” is a complex and lovely bit of animation that succeeds in technical and narrative aspect.
CINEJOY featuring CINEQUEST Artists is held from March 1st through March 12th.