Short films, especially animated, are my ultimate favourite. Despite the short length, these forms have the power to convey their message faster and stronger. It always leaves something on its viewers just like this 8-minute film directed and animated by the British filmmaker Bexie Bush.
Mend and Make Do
Cup of tea? Come and take a seat in Lyn's cosy front room, hear her story of love during wartime and watch as her belongings come alive with the hope, fear and humour of one spirited lady. Equal parts documentary, animation and magic, "Mend and Make Do" features the original voice of Lyn Schofield of Southport, Merseyside, a woman with a lifetime of tales to tell.
Mend and Make Do was released in 2014 and received quite a number of awards.
-Aspen Film Fest COLORADO Best Student Film 2015
-British Short Film Festival BERLIN Honourable Mention 2015
-BUFVC Learning On Screen UK Best Postgrad Student 2015
-Croydon International Film Festival UK Best Animated Film & Best Overall Film 2014
-Dawson Short Film Festival CANADA Youkon Brewing Audience Choice Award 2015
-Corto Helvetico al feminille SWITZERLAND Best Animation 2015
-ECU European International Film Festival PARIS Best Animation 2015
-Manhattan Shorts GLOBAL - Silver Medal Audience Award 2014
-Monstra PORTUGAL Honourable Mention & Best International Film 2015
-Palm Springs International Film Festival USA - Best Student Animation Short 2014
-Puchon International Student Animation Festival KOREA Directors Award 2014
-Prokuplje Short Film Festival SERBIA Honourable Mention 2015
Honestly, I wasn't shocked at all! The film deserves all its recognition because it went beyond documenting and sharing the life of Lyn Schofield. British filmmaker Bexie Bush's Mend and Make Do fully grasped the life of her subject and took the viewers on a journey.
Though it was a quick one, as a viewer I felt like I knew Lyn Schofield for a long time. Heck! I felt like she was my grandmother and I was the one she was telling the story to. I think this is the effect of the so-called "pixilation", a stop motion technique British filmmaker Bexie Bush used to convey Lyn Schofield's narrative.
The way objects were choreographed in the film is simple yet beautiful and effective. I was drawn to it but not distracted as I was able to listen to Lyn Schofield's voice full of passion and emotion. With that, I also fell in love with her story of the first kiss, true love, married life and the last line she delivered. Let me tell you, she delivered it well as it resonates with me.
