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  Average Rating for Jan Svankmajer - The Short Films 1964-1992 - 4 out of 5

  
  (based on 1 user reviews)
• Jan Svankmajer - The Short Films 1964-1992

  Gary Budden 22 June 2007

  

  How to sum up the contents of this DVD in one review?
  For those who don't know, Jan Svankmajer is the Czech animator who has been creating genre-defying short films since the mid-1960's, consistantly pursuing what he calls his 'militant surrealism'. The films are a mixture of live action, marionette and puppet film, stop motion, traditonal animation, claymation and much more besides to create a truly unique collection of films, that amuse, disgust and provoke in equal measure. The only comparisons I can think of are the more surreal works of Luis Bunuel, and the work of the Quay Brothers (itself inspired by Svankmajer).
  Highlights, for me, would be the claymation lovers that wind up tearing each other apart in 'Dimensions of Dialogue', the childish wonder of'Jabberwocky', and the disturbing attack on consumerism in 'Food'.
  The DVD contains all 26 of Svankmajer's short films, two feature length documentaries, an in depth book with details for each film and much more besides. This is one my prized possessions, and essential for anyone remotely interested in experimental and challenging cinema.
  And once you've finished with this, try his feature films, which are equally fantastic.
  

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Drawing on a tradition of Surrealism based in the capital of magic and alchemy, Prague, Jan Svankmajer uses a range of techniques, combining live action, puppet theatre, stop-motion and drawn animation, claymation, cut-outs, re-edited archive footage and montage. This collection spans almost 30 years, from 'The Last Trick' (1964) to 'Food' (1992). All the classics are included - 'Punch and Judy', 'The Flat', 'Jabberwocky', 'Dimensions of Dialogue', 'Down to the Cellar' and both versions of 'The Ossuary', alongside many British video premieres.

A comprehensive collection of shorts from acclaimed surrealist filmmaker Jan Svankmajer. Films include: THE LAST TRICK, FOOD, PUNCH AND JUDY, THE FLAT JABBERWOCKY, DIMENSIONS OF DIALOGUE, DOWN TO THE CELLAR and THE OSSUARY.