Grendel Grendel Grendel
Please not this session is rated: General (G)
Tickets
(sold out) VERY LIMTED late release tickets available!
Classic Australian Feature
The story behind the preservation and digitising of “Grendel Grendel Grendel” stands as MIAF’s most exciting moment. Grendel’s director, Alex Stitt, was an icon of Australian animation and design. His most recognised work includes the “Slip, Slop, Slap” and “Life: Be In It” campaigns which are among the most beloved and remembered pieces of animation ever created in Australia.
But Alex, along with producer Phillip Adams, also produced two animated features. Back in 2013 we became aware of a pristine, never used 35mm print of “Grendel Grendel Grendel” sitting peacefully and undisturbed since it was struck during the original release and distribution phase of the film. Peter Jackson’s post production company Park Road Post (PRP) generously stepped in and offered to do the preservation and digitisation for a fraction of its true cost. MIAF’s Manager at the time, Helen Gibbins, put together and ran a crowd funding campaign to cover the costs, a truly Herculean effort that ensured Grendel would be available for all time.
The resulting preserved version that arrived from PRP is just a delight to behold. Sumptuous colours and bright, clean artwork showcase what an amazing artist, animator and designer Alex Stitt was. The story is a clever, quirky and modern take on the Beowulf tale with the characters exuding personalities that could only flow from the mind of Alex. We screened it at MIAF 2013 but we want to see and share it again – and what better opportunity than International Animation Day.
A rare treat and no better, more quintessentially Australian way to round out this year’s IAD line-up.
Grendel Grendel Grendel
Alex Stitt
Australia, 88’00, 1981
For the bigger story seek out the excellent book “Grendel Grendel Grendel: Animating Beowulf” by Dr Dan Torre & Dr. Lienors Torre (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc) ISBN: 9781501337826
Tickets
(sold out) VERY LIMTED late release tickets available!