Grim

It opens with a hand, covering a lens. Shots in films are constrained by the moment the editor begins and ends the cut, the long shot might seek to produce a dreamlike effect by holding the gaze for longer than one can bear, or the shots can go by quickly and in turn bring these margins into the forefront and make them the subject of the shot. Ito's hand does this in a comical or playful way. Here's a margin, he says. In stop motion every single frame is separated by cuts, the filmmaker chooses to use his trickery to lend the scene a sense ... of continuity. But here's some black space to chop the shot, Ito says, and he puts his hand in front of the camera.

Anyway enough of that heady preaching. This one is interesting because it's in a way humorously sinister, in that it all seems so on the nose. I could see myself hating it for this reason but I suppose I have a soft spot for Ito's impeccable sense of style. It just works, and it's lots of fun.

WARNING: It starts off safe enough, then slowly progresses into epileptic seizure inducing flickering and flashing. If you're susceptible to flashing lights it may be best to skip Grim. I notice Takashi Ito's films have a tendency to do this.

This is a 8 minute long experimental short that uses live-action footage for self expressive purposes. The score that permeates throughout i would have to describe as Dark Ambient-esque. Quite drone oriented with mild Noise. It gives the name further meaning. I don't think i could ever know the right way to interpret this without asking the creator. But if i had to make a guess, ... it's to showcase the dreariness of routine and everyday life. The passing of time and how we make use of it.

I believe this was done on purpose, the vagueness.

Note: Works as a music video and can be listened to off-screen. Though... i doubt it's to the liking of the average listener..