"Caldera" is an 11-minute animated short film from the United Staes. this one was made back in 2012, which means next year it will have its 5th anniversary. Evan Viera and Chris Bishop made this one and I believe this is still by far the most known for both of them. I can totally see why. This film was a very beautiful watch. The protagonist is interesting too which helps matter for sure. But the heart and should is really the visual side here. it must be breathtaking to see this little tale on the big screen, so if you ever get the chance, don't miss it. I am talking about the ending in particular, which looked like a great way and scene of breaking free of all the conventions that held the girl back. The story is not on par with the animation, but it's still decent and that comes from somebody who usually does not like the science fiction (or fantasy) genre much at all. There were moments when I was tempted to give this one an even better rating, but the story held me back somehow. Nonetheless, i totally recommend the watch, especially if you love animated short films as much as I do. I hope the filmmakers will use this one at some point as the basis of a full feature film. That could turn out amazing!
4 Reviews
The content is difficult but the vision, art and creativity is awe-inspiring
bob the moo3 April 2014
Caldera sees a young woman living with mental illness of some sort in a grey society which requires her to take medication to keep in the world of the normal people. When she decides to quite her medicine she heads out to a beautiful ocean lagoon of her own making and intense beauty, but all the time the glowering reality of the city is menacing her and approaching her. The woman knows she can really neither stay totally lost in this beautiful world she has created, nor cope with the crippling restrictions of the medication.
Although the meaning of the short was reasonably clear by virtue of the woman clearly going off her meds at the start, it did help my understanding afterwards to read about how director Viera was inspired to make this film due to his father's schizoaffective disorder, which would see him disappear into delusions but then also have to be dragged back to a much more sedated reality by his required medication. To look after someone in this condition must be hugely challenging and accordingly in Caldera, Viera offers no answers but rather just presents the woman' battle between the two worlds. As a narrative it is difficult and ultimately will probably work best if you understand where Viera is coming from and what he has to deal with. I am foruntate enough not to be able to relate and as a result I found that some of the film didn't move me quite as much – specifically as the film went on and went away from the more obvious stages of the conflict. It still worked enough for me to understand enough to go with it though.
The real selling point though is that, while presenting this conflict, the film does so in a way that is creative and stunning – I really wish that I could even make such images appear in my head when I close my eyes, far less be able to create them as animation. The stages of the film are well done whether it be the grey of medicated life, the tranquillity and endless beauty of the delusion or the oppressive red metropolis of the real. The various worlds are stunning and, most importantly, as beautiful as they are they never overwhelm the fact that the short is actually about something. Too often I watch a short where the effects or animation are the whole deal and it works as a show reel for the director but doesn't do much for the casual viewer – this is most definitely not the case here.
It is difficult and it is very much a personal film but it is one that delivers with great vision and animation.
Although the meaning of the short was reasonably clear by virtue of the woman clearly going off her meds at the start, it did help my understanding afterwards to read about how director Viera was inspired to make this film due to his father's schizoaffective disorder, which would see him disappear into delusions but then also have to be dragged back to a much more sedated reality by his required medication. To look after someone in this condition must be hugely challenging and accordingly in Caldera, Viera offers no answers but rather just presents the woman' battle between the two worlds. As a narrative it is difficult and ultimately will probably work best if you understand where Viera is coming from and what he has to deal with. I am foruntate enough not to be able to relate and as a result I found that some of the film didn't move me quite as much – specifically as the film went on and went away from the more obvious stages of the conflict. It still worked enough for me to understand enough to go with it though.
The real selling point though is that, while presenting this conflict, the film does so in a way that is creative and stunning – I really wish that I could even make such images appear in my head when I close my eyes, far less be able to create them as animation. The stages of the film are well done whether it be the grey of medicated life, the tranquillity and endless beauty of the delusion or the oppressive red metropolis of the real. The various worlds are stunning and, most importantly, as beautiful as they are they never overwhelm the fact that the short is actually about something. Too often I watch a short where the effects or animation are the whole deal and it works as a show reel for the director but doesn't do much for the casual viewer – this is most definitely not the case here.
It is difficult and it is very much a personal film but it is one that delivers with great vision and animation.
Pretty but meaningless
Snootz2 November 2017
Like so very many shorts, the animation is pretty but the plot meaningless to the viewer. The characters are undefined and unexplained, senseless to all but the creator. The viewer keeps waiting for the script to develop a point, but that point never comes. The animation is unique in its way but not what I would consider outstanding (others may disagree).
When will people learn that the beginning of a good film is a good script? Without such, film makers please stop wasting your time and ours.
When will people learn that the beginning of a good film is a good script? Without such, film makers please stop wasting your time and ours.
the turtle
Kirpianuscus5 November 2017
it is the most beautiful character of this animation about the return to origin, escaping from yourself, discovering the real peace out of civilization. "Caldera" is a special film. you feel that scene by scene and the carapace as heap of stones is one of explanations. not the only, off course. because Evan Viera purpose seems be to give a splendid technical animation. the story - only a sketch for the viewer who could create a coherent meaning for himself.
so, a magnificent turtle, a young woman, a bottle with pills and the ocean. and it is enough for a film who seduce and convince to go to looking a sense/story for it.
so, a magnificent turtle, a young woman, a bottle with pills and the ocean. and it is enough for a film who seduce and convince to go to looking a sense/story for it.
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