Dream on Silly Dreamer (2005)

Сюжет кино: "DREAM ON, SILLY DREAMER" tells the story of the Walt Disney Company dismantling its historic animation department, the very foundation on which the company was built. It still seems incomprehensible.
The world loves classic Disney animation. This great American art form speaks to the child within each of us. And behind each classic Disney film are the artists who created them. This is their poignant story.
Everyone who loves animated films must see this film, which documents the destruction of the Disney animation studio and its legacy which spans seven decades.
I'll admit it - I am far from a casual viewer. I am a passionate student of the classic Disney style of animation. I am in awe of the technique required for real, full-blown animation. But as much as I respect the technique, I am moved by the investment of the artists' hearts in the medium. It is the power of drawings that come to life, and animation's ability to move us, that I find so compelling.
With that preface, let me tell you about "DREAM ON, SILLY DREAMER."
It is a WONDERFUL film. Everything I hoped it would and even more.
It contains a wellspring of sentiment. It captures the passion of the animation artists for their art form and its heritage, and their sense of community.
The film strikes a remarkably delicate balance. We witness the shock, disbelief, and numbness of the artists on leaving Disney. Yet, the film doesn't wallow in sadness, self-pity or anger. The focus of the film is the genuine respect the artists have for classic style Disney studio animation, and their elation at having been part of their simple joy at moving a pencil over a piece of paper - and ultimately creating magic.
From the opening title card (a visual parody of the old Buena Vista logo), there are clever graphic references to Disney. The opening and page-flipping of the animator's sketchbook recalls many an animated feature opening; this time around it tells of a fairy tale without a "happily ever after" ending. Particularly striking is the animation of a dark storm cloud overtaking the Animation Building, marked by a scream! (It vaguely reminds me of Ward Kimball's quirky 60s work.) Animation depicting this transition was the perfect use of the medium. It made me laugh - and yet, the dark reality was still apparent.
In the DVD extras, I was particularly moved by the Florida animators reminiscing about their first animation scenes, while saying goodbye. The scene of director Dan Lund writing a check to purchase his animation desk was particularly gutwrenching. The grief on his face was obvious. The studio selling discharged artists their own animation desks seems analogous to sticking a knife in someone, pulling it out, then charging them to have it for a souvenir. While I'm glad artists had a chance to save their desks, and rescue their own piece of animation history, I found the transaction painful to watch. We can hardly imagine what it was like for the artists themselves.
Also, I found myself profoundly affected by Dan Lund's emotional on-stage commentary at the film's premiere. Like his film, he bravely acknowledges the emotions of the moment without being overcome by them.
Artists are governed by their hearts. Every once in a while, in spite of the callous indifference of the "real world," they experience something special as a reward for their talent: transcendental moments of magic.
In "Dream On, Silly Dreamer" we experience the same kind of movie magic Walt Disney himself created, from animators once employed by his studio. You will enjoy clever animation, and experience great storytelling about people living life with passion, experiencing traumatic setbacks and surviving. You will laugh, and, inevitably, you will feel a familiar tug at your heartstrings.
It's a wonderful film, and will be a treasured part of your DVD library.