Ubu - Geoff Dunbar
This animation by Geoff Dunbar was created in 1978.
It seems to be produced in a comic book style, with line drawings and speech bubbles appearing with the characters' words inside when they speak.
The animated drawings also have a messy style, with many elements, particularly in the background, looking like they had been scribbled quickly by the artist.
Most of animation has quite a dark feel to it, with scenes of violence and death from the beginning. The colours used are mainly black, grey, dark blue and red, and these work in accordance to the themes presented. For a cartoon, the scenes of murder, slaughter and war, are quite graphic, but passed off lightly, which gives the animation a strong macabre atmosphere.
This animation tells the story of a vile creature called Ubu, who kills the king and takes over the kingdom. He rules with violence and hatred, often casually killing others because of his position of power.
The old king's son eventually comes back to wage war on Ubu, and wins. Ubu and his female companion/accomplice (possibly his wife or a family member?) are then banished to an icy land, but still manage to find a creature to boss about and do things for them.
I personally found this animation quite confusing. I was not always certain of what was going on with the narrative and storyline, and the style of the animation made me feel as if it had been rushed and possibly unfinished.
There was probably symbolism within this animation however I was unable to work this out at this moment in time.
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