Film Maudit 2.0 Festival Presents NOW 2 Film Review — Poodles and Machinery

Upbeat carousel music blends with an eerie ringing sound until the screen zooms into an animated growling poodle. The dog’s rumbling is suddenly interrupted by the sound of steam and the detachment of its own ears as they drop like hacky sacks on the grass. A dense piece of metal shoots out of the poodle’s mouth and the dog’s body completely transforms into an industrial machine.

Director Kevin Eskew’s Now 2 is an animated short film with bright, bubbly, and gel-like animation of poodles and machinery, paired with transition scenes of colorful puzzle pieces squishing together on screen. As the poodles transform into pieces of equipment, we watch a strange relationship form between pets and their owners.

Now 2 is a dreamy, animated film with a unique story, and it is perfect for someone with an interest in abstract images and messages. In this writer’s opinion, this short film is a curious and especially entertaining watch for pet-lovers. Those who desire a concrete story will not find one in Now 2, but they will discover an original concept with animation to match.

RECOMMENDED

Nominate this for The Picture This Post BEST OF 2021???
Click Readers' Choice

Director: Kevin Eskew

Music: John Eskew & Josh Shaffner

Sound Mix: Ben Huff

Watch Now 2 on the Film Maudit 2.0 website

Images Courtesy of Film Maudit 2.0; Top Photo of Now 2