Drawn! The Illustration and Cartooning Blog

At last, something new in the art of drawing.
- Pablo Picasso speaking of Norman McLaren

No single person embodies the legacy of innovative animation at the National Film Board of Canada like Norman McLaren. So it’s only fitting that they are celebrating 65 years of
animation with a special DVD box set – which includes 15 documentaries, and 58 remastered films.

If you’re not familiar with McLaren’s work, you should check out his classic Oscar-winning film, Neighbours over at the NFB site or his film, A Chairy Tale, which will change the way you sit forever. And, of course, YouTube is hosting a treasure trove of his experimental shorts, but you should start with Begone Dull Care, a gorgeous slice of visual choreography, hand-scratched to accompany the music.

If you’re at the Ottawa International Animation Film Festival next week (attended by
Drawn’s Johnny and Ward!), you’ll find the NFB hosting an Open House.

Finally, the Toronto International Film Festival is also programming a series of Norman McLaren classics, including some of the films mentioned above; afterwards the retrospective will be moving to Paris, New York, London, and Berlin – so keep an eye on your local listings.

UPDATE: You can buy the DVD box-set here.

(Disclosure: I work a few days a week at the NFB office in Montreal… where the walls are plastered with images of McLaren and his work).