Hank and I were co-presenters this week, so it was interesting to see how the materials in Hank’s presentation could complement the materials in my presentation. Hank gave a broader overview of world animation while I focused primarily on Indigenous and Native representation in animation around the world.
For Hank’s presentation, I was really interested in the film “Semaforo” (2013) since it used animation to address the social and political violence in Colombia.
I was also really moved by the films “Mine” (1999) and “Sister” (2018). “Mine” was an apt short film that really dove into the horrors of South African apartheid, and “Mine” was a heartbreaking short film about the effects of China’s one child policy.
Hank’s presentation also allowed for a larger discussion about who is and who isn’t allowed to tell which stories, and how the intent, research, and power dynamics play into which films are showcased.
For my presentation, I had a lot of fun creating an interactive environment to get everyone thinking about Indigenous/Native representation around the world, and how animation can help preserve and expand upon Indigenous and Native storytelling. It was really interesting to see differences in how people could identify Indigenous/Native populations in certain parts of the world versus other parts.
