World-class cartoons in Myeongdong

Pokemon and Nemo won’t be there, but you’ll get a rare chance to see some of their lesser-known siblings from the vast world of animation at Joongang Cinema in Myeongdong this month.
Some of the best films from last year’s Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival will be screened at the theater through Jan. 29.
Audiences will get to see a variety of styles. Some of the animators stuck to traditional drawing, others used computers and some employed natural materials like sand and glass.
“The Pond,” directed by China’s Huang Ying, is a highlight. This film, which won the Asia Prize, uses Chinese calligraphy in its animation, employing refined curves and brush strokes in an uncluttered style common to much ancient Asian art.
One of the most impressive short films is the Argentinian filmmaker Ignacio Ferrera’s “How to Cope with Death.” This film, which won the audience choice award at last year’s festival, takes a hilarious look at death, focusing on the Grim Reaper’s visit to an elderly woman; it’s a tale that does not end as might be expected.
The one-hour screenings at the Joongang, which run from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. each night, group the short films into “Best of Best 1” and “Best of Best 2.”
Other screenings feature the Indian-Canadian animator Ishu Patel ― who uses paper, crystal balls, glass and light to create mystical-looking animation based on Indian legend and philosophy ― and animators from the National Film Board of Canada, such as Caroline Leaf, who works with sand, and Co Hoedeman, who uses three-dimensional paper cutouts. Many of these Canadian pieces have won international awards.
The collection will be shown Mondays through Thursdays until Jan. 29, with a break for the Lunar New Year. Admission for each screening is 4,000 won ($3.40).

by Lee Ho-jeong